Chapter 49:

The discussion with her classmates sobered Lizzie considerably. Moments before, she had been distraught and couldn't understand her impulsive actions. Now, regaining her composure, she found herself in an awkward predicament.

Jayden smoothed his jacket, inspecting the red wine stains. He realized the damage was irreparable. Gazing at Lizzie's alarmed expression, he asked flatly, "How do you plan to resolve this?"

Elyse gently touched Jayden's hand, signaling him not to intervene. She then sharply addressed Lizzie: "Lizzie Robinson, did you intend to embarrass me?"

"No, I didn't. I just wanted to toast and move past our old quarrels," Lizzie protested. She knew she couldn't confess to doing it deliberately. With a sorrowful look, she pleaded, "Elyse, your husband is wealthy. It's only a jacket. Can't you ask him to overlook this for old times' sake, since we were classmates?"

Elyse's irritation flared, and she burst out laughing. "Whether intentional or not, you've ruined my husband's jacket. His wealth isn't conjured up. Why should he overlook your actions?"

"You're wealthy yet so petty. Fine, I'll pay for the jacket, whatever the cost," Lizzie retorted angrily.

Elyse sneered, "Can you afford it? My fiancé makes a million a year. I'll ask him to cover it."

Lizzie, gathering her courage, declared that even if her fiancé paid, it would be a difficult conversation. Money was paramount to him, and she often had to negotiate extensively for spending money. But it was only a jacket; she couldn't imagine it being that expensive, even if pricey.

Jayden stroked his chin. "I'm afraid his wealth may not be enough to cover this jacket."

Lizzie was taken aback. "How much could the jacket possibly cost?"

Elyse was also stunned. She had seen Lanny's custom suits—the priciest were around fifty or sixty thousand. If even Lizzie's fiancé couldn't afford this, how expensive was the jacket?

"What will you do, Lizzie? It seems neither you nor your fiancé can afford it," Elyse said icily.

Lizzie suddenly realized Elyse wasn't the girl she remembered. With a wealthy husband, Elyse's social status had soared. Would Elyse use this newfound position to crush her? Lizzie sobered instantly. Apologizing seemed her best option. If she truly angered Elyse, Elyse might convince her husband to sabotage her fiancé's career.

Lizzie wasn't foolish. After a moment, tears streamed down her face as she pleaded, "Elyse, I didn't mean for this to happen. You know my family isn't wealthy. I can't afford to replace your husband's jacket. What should I do? Should I kneel and apologize?"

Elyse intervened before Lizzie could kneel, realizing it would make her and Jayden look like bullies. She glanced at Jayden and said coolly, "A sincere apology will suffice. We don't expect financial compensation."

Seizing the opportunity, Lizzie bowed deeply to Jayden and Elyse. Jayden, wanting to de-escalate, nodded in acceptance, resolving the matter. Elyse also nodded. "Alright, you can join dinner now. We're good."

Grateful yet disheartened, Lizzie left. When others saw Elyse and Jayden accept an apology, they spoke up in defense. "Do you really forgive her that easily? Lizzie has always made things difficult for Elyse."

"Exactly! Lizzie even called Elyse a jinx!"

"You're too kind. If it were my jacket, I'd make her pay for cleaning!"

The crowd murmured, but Jayden and Elyse remained silent.

After dinner, in the car, Elyse said to Jayden, "Don't intervene for me in the future. People might say you pick on women, damaging your reputation."

"You only got an apology, and my jacket is ruined," Jayden remarked.

Elyse replied, a hint of embarrassment in her voice, "Lizzie can't afford to compensate. I think preserving your reputation is more important than the jacket."

Jayden chuckled. "You really did think of me."

Holding his hand, Elyse smiled. "You stood up for me, and I'll protect your reputation. We look out for each other. Isn't that wonderful?"

Seeing her cheerful smile, Jayden smiled, touched by her sincerity. "Should I thank you for defending my reputation, then?" he teased.

Caught by Jayden's relaxed demeanor, Elyse's heart skipped a beat.