Chapter 482:

Jayden's face darkened. "I don't understand," he said. "What are you trying to say?"

Peyton's sarcasm dripped. "You never loved her, huh? She must be an angel to have put up with you."

"You think so? Am I that bad?" Jayden asked, forcing a grin.

Clive rolled his eyes. "We've put up with you for years because we love you, bro."

Disgusted by Clive's sarcasm, Jayden muttered through gritted teeth, "Come on."

Peyton tapped his fingers on the table, his tone turning serious. "Instead of asking if you understand Elyse, I'll ask if you understand yourself. What do you truly want? Do you know what love is? What is love to you?"

Peyton's barrage of questions threw Jayden off balance. Usually quick-witted, he was speechless.

Clive, pleased with Peyton's support, clinked his glass against Peyton's can of Coke.

Feeling betrayed, Jayden exclaimed, "Really? Is that how badly you guys think of me?"

Rage filled Peyton's glare. "There's nothing wrong with being like this. We understand you; you're our friend." He gulped down his Coke, burping. "You'll reflect on your actions and apologize to Elyse tomorrow. Does upsetting her make you feel better?"

After a moment of silence, Jayden said, "You must be drunk."

Infuriated, Peyton slammed his hand on the table. "I'm not drunk! Truthfully, I blame Elyse for falling for someone like you. No sane person would marry you."

Two waiters entered. One said respectfully, "Here's the whiskey you ordered, sir."

Clive was stunned. "You ordered another whiskey?"

Jayden stared coldly at the waiters. "I didn't order this."

"Are you sure, sir? We received the order immediately."

One waiter approached the table, ostensibly to place the bottle down. Secretly, he produced a dagger and lunged at Jayden. Jayden, however, anticipated the attack, delivering a swift kick to the waiter's stomach.

Witnessing the attack, Peyton screamed in horror.

The other waiter, standing by the door, dropped his pretense, drawing his own dagger and stabbing Clive.

It dawned on Jayden that they were hired assassins, targeting him while avoiding witnesses—explaining the attack on Clive.

Jayden immediately pulled Peyton behind him, shielding him. He then grabbed a bottle, smashing it against the head of the man who stabbed Clive.

A violent struggle ensued.

Terrified, Peyton cried, "My leg's injured! Protect me!"

Clive anxiously added, "I can't protect you. Let Jayden do it! I only did a little kickboxing as a child."

Peyton pleaded, "Jayden, protect me! I'll learn freestyle grappling as soon as my leg heals!"

"Be quiet! I won't let anything happen to you!" Jayden's murderous intent was clear as he glared at the assassins. "Use my phone to text Tobin. Tell him there might be two corpses he needs to deal with."

Peyton took Jayden's phone. "Why not tell Elyse?"

"Don't you dare!" Jayden's eyes turned cold. "She's a goddess, deserving of worship and adoration. I'll kill you if you involve her in this mess!"

To Jayden, Elyse was so innocent and pure; he couldn't taint her with his bloodshed. She deserved happiness, sunshine, music, and beautiful flowers. He would handle this himself.

Jayden's stubbornness left Peyton speechless. He saw an opportunity to ease the tension between them. Had Jayden misunderstood him?

"Okay, okay. I'll only text Tobin. I won't tell Elyse." He sent the message.

The assassin moved. Jayden grabbed a bottle and fought the two dagger-wielding killers.

"Jayden, watch out!"

…