Chapter 427

Freda stared at Kaelyn, her eyes wide. "You're Theo's ex-girlfriend? Why hasn't anyone ever mentioned this?"

Kaelyn smiled. "It's simple. Theo and I dated in college. After we broke up, I went into show business. They like to keep those things quiet."

As she noticed a stray hair on Freda's face, Kaelyn gently brushed it away. "Since it was never discussed, nobody knows about my past with Theo."

Freda staggered back against the wall, stunned. "How many girlfriends has Theo had? Was he ever truly sincere?"

Kaelyn's voice softened. "Don't worry about it; Theo isn't worth your energy. He has someone amazing—you—but he doesn't appreciate it. He's fixated on Elyse, who keeps him dangling."

Freda seized Kaelyn's hand. "You said 'dangling'? Has Elyse been keeping Theo dangling all this time?"

Kaelyn was surprised. "You didn't know? Elyse is a master manipulator. She knows how to keep a man hooked."

Pausing thoughtfully, Kaelyn added, "You know Jayden Owen, right? He's disabled. Ever wonder why Elyse married him?"

Freda looked distressed. She couldn't understand why Elyse would marry a disabled man.

Kaelyn explained, "To make Theo feel guilty. Marrying Jayden was a ploy to stir up Theo's remorse."

Kaelyn's face hardened. "She pretends it's all about love to maintain her image, but I see through her. She's playing both of them."

Freda was speechless. She'd always believed Theo was relentlessly pursuing Elyse, unaware of Elyse's true motives.

Still slightly hungover, Freda mumbled, "I'm tired. Let's talk later."

Kaelyn produced a business card. "Since you don't have your phone, here's my card. Contact me when you feel better."

Freda took the card, hesitant. "Why are you telling me all this?"

Kaelyn looked shocked. "Don't you want to expose Elyse and show Theo who she really is? If he stays with her, it will destroy him. Can you just watch that happen?"

Freda was speechless, but ultimately accepted the card.

As Freda left, Kaelyn leaned back against the wall, her smile turning cold and menacing. "Elyse, my greatest regret is not killing you back then. You keep taking what should be mine." Her eyes burned with bitterness and hatred. Elyse had caused her detention, and she wouldn't let it stand.

Freda returned to her room and settled on the sofa. As she drifted off, she pondered Kaelyn's words. She hadn't realized Elyse was so manipulative. She resolved to expose Elyse and protect Theo. A smile crept onto her face. She was the one who could save Theo. Only she.