Chapter 68:
Elyse exclaimed, punching the air in anger. “It has to be her! Why does she always resort to dirty tricks? Why can’t she just compete honestly?”
Jayden watched her mood swing from dejection to spiritedness in seconds. He sighed, half amused by her resilience. “Perhaps your acute gastrospasm was caused by holding back too much. Will you do that again next time?”
“Next time, I’m not drinking any water,” Elyse responded firmly, her lips pressed together in frustration at Rebekah's latest underhanded tactic. However, the memory of her flawless performance and Wanda’s approving nod quickly buoyed her spirits.
Her phone chimed. Jayden saw the caller ID: Lanny. As soon as Elyse answered, Lanny’s irritable, anxious voice filled the room. “Elyse, could you arrange another meeting with Theo? I’d like to accompany you to discuss Mabel’s issue.”
Elyse’s exasperation was evident. “Dad, Theo isn’t going to marry Mabel. Please accept it.”
“But Mabel wants to marry him. You need to support her as her sister,” Lanny insisted, his tactics shameless and unreasonable, in Elyse’s opinion. This was typical Lanny.
Before Elyse could reply, Jayden took the phone. Speaking coldly, he said, “Lanny, what do you think of my wife?”
“Mr. Owen, are you with Elyse?” Lanny stammered, his composure shattered.
Jayden ignored him, his tone chilling further. “You know Elyse had a past with Theo before she married me. Yet you still pushed her to help your daughter. Are you hoping to leverage that past to influence Theo?”
“Mr. Owen, that wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to—” Lanny began, but Jayden cut him off.
“It’s just her virginity. If that’s so important to you, I can recommend a hospital. But if you keep dragging Elyse into this, I assure you, your daughter Mabel’s reputation will suffer.”
Sensing the threat, Lanny quickly backpedaled. “I wouldn’t dare trouble Elyse further. It’s Mabel’s mistake. I’ll handle it appropriately.”
After hanging up, Jayden turned to Elyse, who was looking at him admiringly. “You can’t even handle a scoundrel.”
Elyse shrugged. “Annoying as he is, he’s still my father.”
“I don’t think you resemble his daughter at all,” Jayden retorted irritably.
“Many have said that, but I can’t help it. It’s genetics,” she replied, taking her phone back with a smile. “Anyway, I’m sure I’ll make it through the first round and join the performance team. If I get through the final selection, I’ll be the principal violinist.”
Jayden chuckled. “If you become the concertmaster, I’ll organize a solo concert for you.”
“Hold you to that,” Elyse beamed, her eyes shining with joy. Jayden’s happiness grew.
After the call, Lanny was in his study when Mabel rushed in. “Did Elyse agree? Will she take me to see Theo?” Hope shone in her eyes. She’d considered contacting Theo herself; after all, they’d been intimate. They were more than acquaintances, weren't they? The thought flushed her cheeks.
Lanny’s temper flared at her lovestruck expression. He rebuked her sharply. “How can you even suggest that? Do you realize the trouble you’ve caused? Don’t you understand your position? He doesn’t care for you at all.”
“Nonsense! Theo wouldn’t treat me like that,” Mabel retorted defiantly.
“Wouldn’t he? He didn’t even pick up when I called. He’s blocked my number,” Lanny exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table.
“You can’t reach him, but Elyse can. If she calls Theo, he’ll definitely answer,” Mabel insisted.
“Enough! She’s married to Jayden now. Stop bringing up Theo,” Lanny retorted, shaking his head. He added resolutely, “Your mother and I will find someone suitable for you. Prepare yourself to get married and forget about Theo.”
“No! I will marry Theo. I must!” Mabel cried, beginning a hunger strike in protest. Lanny remained unmoved. The Lloyd household was engulfed in turmoil for days to come.