Chapter 629:

Brook grimaced at the bitterness of his coffee, even after adding three sugars. Breaking the tense silence, he asked, “How is your health? Have you fully recovered?”

Elyse’s sharp reply cut through the air: “Are you asking if I can still have children?”

Brook shook his head earnestly. “I’m not that cruel.”

A faint sneer flickered across Elyse’s face, but she remained silent. Undeterred, Brook reminisced, “You’ve changed so much. You used to be so gentle and kind.”

Elyse listened, remembering her former self—more accommodating, softer. But that gentleness hadn’t shielded her from her deepest loss; she hadn’t been able to protect her own child.

“People change based on their experiences, don’t they?” Elyse remarked sadly.

Brook nodded slowly. “Yes, they do. To not change is to stagnate, to become almost machine-like.”

As they spoke, Eva, buzzing with excitement, led Jayden and Mia toward them. “That’s right,” Eva chirped, “I brought Mr. Owen to see Mrs. Owen.”

Mia rolled her eyes, unimpressed. A man’s visit was hardly scandalous.

Elyse, caught off guard, addressed Jayden. “Would you like to join us?”

Jayden’s gaze was icy. After a tense moment, he asked bluntly, “Are you here looking for trouble?”

Brook shrugged casually. “I’m here on behalf of Grandpa. We need to discuss something.”

Jayden’s voice was cool and detached. “Is there really anything left to discuss between me and Enzo?”

Standing, Brook attempted to defuse the tension. “I’m merely the messenger. Don’t shoot the messenger. I’ll deliver my message, and then you can do as you wish.”

Motioning toward the elevator, Brook suggested, “Let’s talk in your office.”

Jayden’s reluctance was clear. Elyse interjected, “It’s worth listening. You might learn something about Enzo’s plans. Ignorance is not bliss.”

Taking a deep breath, Jayden agreed, “Alright, I’ll hear him out.”

With a solemn expression, Jayden followed Brook to the elevator.

Once they were gone, Elyse checked her phone, then tossed it onto the table, addressing Eva with a wry smile. “Things didn’t unfold as you’d hoped, did they, Miss Prescott?”

Caught off guard, Eva’s face tensed, and she glanced helplessly at Mia, who feigned ignorance, keeping her head down.

Eva stammered a justification: “I was just concerned for you, Mrs. Owen. That man didn’t seem trustworthy, so I thought it best to alert Mr. Owen.”

Elyse raised an eyebrow. “Should I be thanking you then?”

“No, that’s not necessary,” Eva replied awkwardly.

Elyse tapped her fingers on the table twice; each tap felt like a hammer blow to Eva’s heart. Overwhelmed, Eva couldn’t meet Elyse’s gaze.

After a tense pause, Elyse addressed Mia. “You need to better manage your team. I’m not sure how Jayden will react.”

“I understand, Mrs. Owen,” Mia responded anxiously. Elyse’s demeanor reminded her of Jayden’s former strict and authoritative presence. Jayden had softened considerably over time, becoming more lenient and approachable. Now, Elyse seemed to embody his former sternness.

With nothing more to say, Elyse left for Jayden’s office.

Once Elyse had gone, Mia exhaled deeply and whispered, “Has Mr. Owen become more temperate because of his wife’s influence?”