Chapter 82:

Elyse met Lowell's gaze steadily. "You said your sister and Shaun were in love. How could they have broken up if that was true? I don't think your sister really loves Shaun, do you?"

Infuriated, Lowell's expression darkened. He dismounted his motorcycle, marched toward her, and demanded in a hostile tone, "Say that again!"

"I said it. Your sister doesn't love Shaun. How many times must I repeat myself?" Elyse, hands on her hips, countered. "If she truly loved him and wanted him back, she wouldn't have sent you. She's a coward."

She'd always thought they were making a mountain out of a molehill. If Dolores and Shaun's love had been as profound as claimed, how could they have broken up? Their breakup, to her, clearly indicated insufficient love; mere excuses masked a lack of genuine affection.

Lowell, feeling personally and familially insulted by Elyse's accusations, had never been berated like this. As a Ruiz, this was uncharted territory.

Overwhelmed by anger, he lunged toward Elyse, intending to strike her. He screamed and collapsed to his knees.

Lily, nearby, screamed. Rushing to him, worry etched on her face, she asked, "Are you okay?"

Lowell's face turned ashen; the veins in his neck bulged. He clenched his lips, struggling to suppress cries of pain.

Seeing his agony, Elyse feared he might blame her. She quickly grabbed Tracy, and they hurried to Jayden. There, she saw pebbles in Jayden's hand, a sight that stunned her. "Did you do this?" she asked.

Minutes later, Lowell began to recover. Massaging his numb, painful leg, he glared at the crowd. "Who did this? Come forward!"

No one responded. An Aston Martin screeched to a halt before them. A tall man emerged, his gaze piercing. He spotted Tracy and approached her.

As he drew near, Tracy's anger gave way to nervous tension. "Shaun, how did you know I'm here?"

Elyse realized, with surprise, that this was Shaun, the central figure in the unfolding drama. Tall and commanding, he possessed a dignity that seemed to deflect any challenge.

He stopped before Tracy and said coldly, "Stop making a scene."

Tracy looked away, her voice faltering. "I didn't. They're making trouble for me."

"So you decided to engage with them. Do you still want to get married tomorrow?" Shaun challenged.

Tracy lowered her head. "Yes."

Without another word, Shaun took her hand and led her to his car. Passing Jayden, he paused, exchanging a brief, chilling glance with him.

Their silent exchange left Elyse feeling inexplicably tense. Shaun entered the car and drove off with Tracy.

With Tracy gone, the tension dissipated. Elyse whispered to Jayden, "Let's go. I'm tired."

Jayden nodded, signaled his bodyguards to retrieve the motorcycle, and started toward his car with Elyse.

Then Elyse remembered something. Turning back to Lowell, she said calmly, "By the way, don't forget our bet. You wouldn't break your promise, would you?"

Lowell grimaced at the reminder of the three-hundred-thousand-dollar bet, especially since he'd failed to stop Tracy's wedding. "You're going to break your promise, aren't you?" Elyse teased, smiling.

"I'll send the money tomorrow," Lowell snapped.

Elyse nodded, pleased. She was exhausted from visiting motorbike shops all day. "Thank you for your gift, then," she said. She climbed into the car, and they drove away.

"Don't be sad, Lowell. We can figure this out," Lily said, trying to console him.

"Go away. I don't need your pity," Lowell retorted sharply. He picked up his helmet, mounted his motorcycle, and rode off without looking back.

Lily remained where she stood, fists clenched, dissatisfied.