Chapter 355

Hearing Elyse's explanation, Pearce was taken aback. "Both your parents have incurable diseases? That's incredibly tough."

Elyse's eyes flickered with emotion. "You've got the wrong idea. I'm doing this for my real parents."

Pearce was surprised. "Your biological parents? I thought your current parents were your biological parents."

"I'd rather not talk about it," Elyse responded, sighing deeply. Her eyes drifted to the surrounding trees, her mood darkening.

Standing beside her, Pearce felt uneasy. Despite his sharp mind, he couldn't understand why Elyse's biological and adoptive parents were different. He wondered if Elyse's biological parents were the people he'd been searching for; she bore a striking resemblance to them.

He considered how to ask about her biological parents, but before he could, Elyse said she wanted to leave.

Pearce nodded. In the car, he casually asked, "I've been with you all day. Can you tell me about your biological parents?"

Elyse felt a wave of sleepiness. Rousing slightly, she smiled and asked, "Are you really that interested in my biological parents?"

Pearce joked, "Absolutely. You're so beautiful. Your parents must be amazing."

A hint of sadness crossed Elyse's face. "I can't give you a clear answer; I've never met them. I'm curious about what they look like, too," she confessed.

Pearce continued, "You mean you've never seen them?"

Elyse sighed. "I only learned yesterday that my biological parents are different people. But I'll see my mother's photos tomorrow." She murmured softly, closing her eyes. "I can finally see her. I miss her so much."

"What did you say?" Pearce hadn't heard her. He repeated his question, but received no reply. Looking over, he saw Elyse had fallen asleep, leaning against the seat with her head resting on the door frame. She looked troubled. Pearce sighed and decided not to press further.

When they reached downtown, Pearce gently woke Elyse. Dazed, she opened her eyes to find they were in the parking lot. After a moment of confusion, she gathered herself and said, "Thank you for the ride."

Pearce pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and inhaled deeply. Leaning back, he looked at Elyse with a playful expression, making her uneasy. Unsure of his gaze, she shifted uncomfortably and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're in a bit of trouble," Pearce announced.

Elyse was confused. "Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

Pearce grinned. "Your phone rang while you were asleep. At a red light, I answered it. The caller ID said 'Silly Billy.'"

Elyse's face paled. She asked in a shaky voice, "What did you tell him?"

Pearce shrugged. "Not much. I said it wasn't a good time because you were sleeping. I promised to let you know when we got back downtown so you could call him back."

Elyse felt a wave of anxiety. "And what did he say?"

Pearce cleared his throat and imitated a subdued voice. "'Okay.'"

Elyse was surprised. "That's it?"

"Yes," Pearce responded, amusement in his voice. "You should call him and clear things up. I don't get involved with married women."

Feeling a rush of urgency, Elyse took out her phone and made the call.

After Elyse left, Jayden retreated to his study to concentrate on his work. An hour later, Driscoll entered with the news that Corrie had arrived.

Jayden, slightly irritated, asked, "Didn't she say she would come this afternoon? Why is she here now?"

Driscoll looked uncomfortable. "She said she had an urgent matter."

Jayden instructed briskly, "Let her in."

Corrie entered and followed Driscoll to the small garden. Jayden, in his wheelchair, was busy typing on his mobile phone. Driscoll left after showing Corrie in.

Corrie looked at Jayden and softly said, "How are your legs now?"

...

The passage has been cleaned up for grammar, punctuation, and flow. Unnecessary phrases have been removed, and sentence structure has been improved for clarity. The ambiguous "noveldrama" has been removed.