Chapter 830:

Elyse quickly slammed the door shut and locked it, her heart pounding. Without pausing for breath, she hurried to the bathroom. There she found Jayden nonchalantly lounging in her bathtub.

She froze. "You didn't leave?"

From the warm water, Jayden looked up. "Did I ever say I was going to?"

Elyse complained, "You always used to leave without saying goodbye."

She stood stunned. What was she doing? Accusing Jayden of inconsiderateness?

Jayden watched her carefully. "I left quietly because I didn't want to wake you."

Elyse's expression hardened. "Your explanations are meaningless now."

After a pause, Jayden asked, "Was that Edward who came by earlier?"

Elyse nodded. Turning her back, she said firmly, "Finish your bath and leave. I need to handle Edward."

Jayden nodded, his eyes following her as she exited.

Outside, Elyse rubbed her temples, feeling inexplicably annoyed. She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and opened the door. Edward was still there, greeting her with a broad smile. Elyse wasn't in the mood. She avoided his eyes. "Go downstairs and wait for me. I'll join you after I change." She preferred Edward's company to Jayden's.

"What are you doing here?" Edward's voice sharpened, gesturing behind her.

Elyse froze and turned. Jayden stood in the doorway, a white towel wrapped around his waist, his well-defined upper body exposed. He was casually shaving.

"You're going out? With him?" Jayden's voice was laced with disdain.

Edward's smile faltered. "You're the one who should be elsewhere. Shouldn't you be with Aarya?"

Jayden laughed coldly. "Aarya is just a girlfriend, not my wife. I'm not tied to her."

Edward's forced smile returned. "And Elyse? Is she your wife then?"

Jayden's response was firm. "If I say she's my wife, then she is."

Caught in the middle, Elyse's frustration peaked. She pressed her lips together and headed back to her room.

Jayden seized her arm. "Are you really planning to go out with him? Does he deserve your time?"

Elyse yanked her arm away. "Who said I'm going out with him? I'm just going to have dinner alone. I don't want either of you to follow me."

But Jayden blocked her way. "No, you're going to have dinner with me."