Chapter 444:

“Honey? What’s wrong?” Elyse asked, answering the phone.

“Where are you? Why weren’t you home for dinner?”

Glancing at Shaun, who was watching her, Elyse said quietly, “I’m at Shaun Kennedy’s for dinner, and Tracy’s here too.”

Jayden quickly grasped the situation. Speaking softly, he replied, “I understand. I’ll come get you.”

“Okay. And quickly.” Elyse ended the call, straightened, and looked at Shaun proudly.

Shaun crossed his arms, raised an eyebrow, and teased, “Did Jayden just call you?”

Lifting her chin, Elyse gestured toward Tracy and said proudly, “Tracy and I will be going home together later. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Seeing Tracy’s excitement, Shaun smirked wickedly. “Did I say you could take my woman away?”

Tracy’s expression changed. “Since when am I yours? We’re not married!”

Shaun seized Tracy’s wrist, tightening his grip. “You are mine. And you always will be. I’ve been patient enough.”

Tracy’s eyes widened in shock, then filled with despair. “Why can’t you let me go? Everyone knows we shouldn’t be together.”

Shaun clenched his teeth. “I’m well aware, but what does that matter? You’re stuck with me for life.”

He forcefully led her upstairs. Elyse and Darren tried to intervene, but the butler blocked them.

“This is a family matter,” the butler stated sternly. “Please stay out of it.”

As Tracy struggled, Elyse said angrily, “Tracy isn’t married to Shaun. He shouldn’t treat her this way!”

Shaun ignored Elyse, covered Tracy’s mouth, and dragged her away.

“Tracy! Shaun, you’ve lost your mind!”

Elyse, furious, tried to follow, but the butler blocked her way. “The upstairs is off-limits.”

Darren sighed. “Let’s leave it. This is their territory. There’s nothing we can do.”

Tracy looked distraught, her fists clenched. She understood: Shaun had brought them here to confine her. Before, she’d been at Jayden’s house, out of Shaun’s reach. But this was Shaun’s territory, making it difficult to rescue her.

Elyse took a deep breath, scolding herself for her lack of courage.

Half an hour later, Jayden arrived. Shaun remained upstairs; only the butler came down. Jayden didn’t see Tracy or Shaun, realizing Shaun had succeeded in his plan.

He frowned. “Shaun got rid of the bodyguards I had watching Tracy.”

“Your bodyguards are useless!” Elyse responded angrily.

Jayden shrugged. “Who would have guessed Shaun would stoop so low?”

Elyse’s anger lingered. She glared at Jayden, then at the second floor, uncertain about Tracy’s condition and whether Shaun was mistreating her.

Understanding Elyse’s concern for Tracy, Jayden sighed. “Shaun’s odd, but he wouldn’t harm Tracy. Don’t worry.”

“You don’t understand. Coercion is a form of harm,” Elyse said, shaking her head.

Darren whispered, “But if Shaun refuses to release her, we can’t get her out.”

Elyse’s phone rang. It was Tracy, surprisingly calm. “Elyse, go home. Don’t worry about me. Shaun won’t hurt me.”

...