Chapter 8:

“Have you two ever truly loved me?” Elyse’s question caught Lanny off guard, his expression shifting abruptly. Unaware of her father’s reaction, Elyse looked at Glenda, awaiting her response.

“Elyse, what’s gotten into you? How could you doubt our love? We care about you, which is why we’re suggesting you reconcile with Theo. With his family’s wealth, you’d be set for life,” Glenda replied calmly.

“But I’m married now. Do you think Theo would accept a divorced woman?” Elyse challenged, her eyes fixed on her mother.

Glenda’s composure faltered, replaced by anxiety. “Who were you married to? Is he wealthy?” she asked urgently.

Elyse hesitated. She initially wanted to reveal her marriage to Jayden Owen, a man of considerable wealth and influence. However, seeing Glenda’s anxiety, she changed her answer. “No, he’s a pauper.”

Lanny erupted. “You’ve disobeyed us! End this marriage immediately!”

“No, I won’t,” Elyse declared firmly. “Since you abandoned me at the wedding, I’ve taken control of my life. You no longer have any say in my decisions.”

“I raised you, and this is how you repay me?” Lanny’s face flushed with anger. He summoned Driscoll and the maids, commanding, “Lock her in the basement until she comes to her senses!”

Elyse felt deep disappointment. They resorted to confinement to assert their authority, demanding her submission. She had appeased them countless times, but this time she refused to yield.

As Elyse was escorted away, Mabel eagerly said, “Since she can’t marry Theo, why not let me marry him? We won’t lose anything then.”

Elyse laughed. Mabel’s constant attempts to replace her were predictable.

In the living room, Jayden sat, watching the wall clock. It was already 11:00 p.m., yet Driscoll beside him remained silent. The dinner dishes had been reheated multiple times.

“Did she say she’d be back for dinner?” Jayden asked.

“She did,” Driscoll confirmed.

“Then why hasn’t she returned?”

Driscoll remained silent, unaware of the true reason. Did Elyse run away like Joanna? He dared not speculate.

Jayden texted his assistant. Within ten minutes, a reply came: “She’s useless; she’s locked in a basement.”

Driscoll was startled. “She’s confined in the basement. Should we call the authorities?”

“No, I’ll handle this myself,” Jayden declared, his eyes blazing with fury. As Elyse’s husband, he wouldn’t tolerate anyone imprisoning her without his consent.

Observing Jayden’s anger, Driscoll wisely remained silent. Elyse’s family had clearly pushed Jayden to his limit.

In the dim basement, Elyse huddled in a corner, her eyes closed in exhaustion. Hunger gnawed at her, but she focused on escape.

After what seemed like an eternity, the basement door creaked open, casting a beam of light into the darkness. Several figures entered, their faces illuminated by flashlights.

The sudden brightness made Elyse flinch. “Who dared to enter the basement?” she asked.

“Mr. Owen, we’ve located Ms. Lloyd,” one of the figures said. Jayden had come to rescue her.

Dazed, Elyse emerged from the basement, finding the villa brightly lit. Her parents cowered beside Jayden; their demeanor had completely changed.

“Jayden,” she whispered, her voice tinged with sorrow.

Jayden’s gaze fell upon her, noting a handprint on her pale face. “What happened to her?” he demanded.

“I slapped her,” Lanny confessed, guilt evident.

“Why?” Jayden’s question cut through the tension.

“Because she refused to marry Theo,” Lanny stammered, sweat beading on his forehead.

Jayden’s demeanor turned icy. “So you’re displeased with me?”

“N-no, not at all,” Lanny stammered, his smile strained.

He then turned to Elyse, reproach in his tone. “You married Mr. Owen, but why lie and say he’s poor?”

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