Chapter 730:

Rolling his eyes, Edward scoffed. “You don’t care? You cared enough to watch him leave with someone else. You need to stop deceiving yourself. He’s already with another woman. You have to move on, Elyse.”

For a moment, Elyse simply pursed her lips.

Edward’s concern deepened. “You’re not still hung up on him, are you? Why would you want to waste your tears on a jerk? Since he’s gone after another woman, you should find someone else!”

Puffing out his chest, Edward proclaimed, “I’m prepared to make a sacrifice for my best friend. Come share my bed!”

Whenever Edward said such things, Elyse wanted to punch him. Controlling her frustration, she replied, “Stop joking. Go sleep alone.”

“Come and share my bed. We’ll drive your ex-husband wild,” Edward provocatively suggested, noticing Elyse regain her energy. He extended his hands and moved closer.

Elyse screamed, punched Edward in the chest, and shouted, “Go to hell, you bastard!” She kicked him, turned, and stormed out.

Edward exclaimed, clutching his chest and wincing, “You punched my chest muscles! They must be bruised!” He began to unbutton his shirt. “Let me show you. If they’re bruised, you’ll have to stay,” he insisted.

Jayden and Aarya left the banquet hall and settled into the car, riding in silence. Traffic halted at an intersection, bringing them to a standstill.

Feeling claustrophobic, Jayden loosened his tie and retrieved a cigarette.

“I remember my dad saying you didn’t smoke. Why are you smoking now?” Aarya asked, smiling faintly.

Jayden exhaled smoke, his face expressionless. “You don’t like it?” he asked. “Sorry, I won’t smoke anymore.” He stubbed out the cigarette.

“I didn’t mean to stop you,” Aarya explained, gently taking his hand. “If you want to smoke, it’s okay with me.”

“I don’t want to do anything that upsets you,” Jayden said softly, patting her hand.

Aarya felt reassured and touched by his consideration. Seeing him go out of his way to show affection felt good. However, the thought of the woman from the banquet sparked unexplained anger.

She clung to Jayden’s arm, her red-nailed fingers brushing his chest.

“Do you know the woman from the banquet?” she asked softly, leaning in.

“Who?” Jayden responded absentmindedly, looking out the window.

“The one who argued with me. Do you know her?” Aarya probed, smiling.

“Yes. Why, are you jealous?” Jayden admitted straightforwardly.

Surprised, Aarya asked, “Who is she to you?”

“No matter who she is, you’re my girlfriend now. You’re the most important,” Jayden reassured her, taking her hand.

Aarya’s smile widened, and she hugged him tighter. But as a Hudson woman, doubt was part of her nature. She couldn’t shake off nagging suspicions about the sincerity of Jayden’s affection. . . .