Chapter 420:

Elyse regained her balance, whirled around, and delivered a sharp kick to Theo's chest. He grunted and collapsed onto the floor. Bracing herself against the wall, fury blazing in her eyes, Elyse confronted him. "You claim to love me? Then how could you abandon me? Have you forgotten your actions? You professed your feelings while courting others. And Mabel? Did you sleep with her? Is that your definition of love?"

Her raised voice drew the attention of the concert hall staff and lingering contestants. They witnessed a tense scene: a striking woman glaring at a man who looked untrustworthy. A concerned onlooker approached. "Miss, are you okay?"

Haunted by Theo's recent actions, Elyse confessed, "He tried to harass me." The crowd glared at Theo. Accusations flew: "You look decent! Why would you harass her?" "A harasser like him deserves to be in jail!" The murmur about calling the police grew until Freda burst through the crowd, positioning herself before Theo.

Defensive, Freda addressed the bystanders, "He's my boyfriend, and he did not harass her. Please, don't accuse an innocent man."

Elyse gaped at Freda in shock. Freda had witnessed everything, yet she chose to defend Theo. Overwhelmed, Elyse demanded, "If you saw everything, why didn't you help me? Why are you maligning me?"

Freda lifted her chin defiantly, her gaze fierce. "Maligning me? My boyfriend is innocent. Perhaps you are the one with dubious intentions."

With Freda vouching for Theo, the crowd's suspicion shifted from Theo to Elyse. Feeling their scrutinizing stares, Elyse was speechless. It was clear Theo's embrace had been forceful, and she hadn't fabricated the story.

Meanwhile, Theo, standing silently behind Freda, remained impassive. He watched Elyse intently, his eyes filled with a pained expression, as if he were the wronged party. While the crowd verbally berated Elyse, Theo simply observed, doing nothing to defend her. He mused that things would have been simpler if Elyse hadn't screamed. She hadn't objected to his hugs before, but now her scream painted him as a villain. This turn of events seemed to suit him. He didn't want to harm Elyse himself; instead, he let the crowd do it, wondering if this would make her less likely to defy him in the future.

Under the crowd's harsh judgment, Elyse struggled to articulate her side. She was unjustly labeled promiscuous and accused of seeking unwanted attention. Her eyes, fiery with indignation, glared at Theo. Yet, he remained detached, considering speaking on her behalf—if only she would ask him to. Despite waiting, Elyse never sought his help. She preferred to explain herself to the crowd, resisting the idea of asking anything of Theo. Theo was frustrated; Elyse didn't depend on him at all.

"Excuse me, let me through, please."

Amid her struggle, Elyse heard Jayden's voice. The crowd parted for him. Lifting her gaze, Elyse saw him approaching in a wheelchair, a large bouquet of roses in his lap. Noticing her tearful eyes, Jayden teased with a smile, "Honey, are you so thrilled to see me that you're about to cry?"

Elyse hurried to Jayden, her lips pressed together. She reached for his hand, but Jayden presented her with the flowers. "Congratulations, honey. I heard about your rank, so I brought these flowers especially for you," he said, his smile unwavering.

Elyse, ready to share her frustrations, was momentarily lost in the scent of the roses. Jayden surveyed the onlookers and declared coolly, "She is my wife and loves only me. The idea of her seeking another man's attention is preposterous."

His assertive tone made the crowd hesitate. Freda, however, remained skeptical. "Does she really only love you? If she truly does, why would she embrace another man?" ...