Chapter 890:

The mere mention of Enzo made Elyse shiver. His name had become synonymous with nightmares, a taboo in her life. She rubbed her temples in frustration. “So, you called just to congratulate me on winning first place?”

After a prolonged pause, Brook sighed heavily. “Are you at Jayden’s place right now?”

Without thinking, Elyse answered, “Yes. Why do you ask?”

“Where is Jayden now? And where does he live?” Brook asked.

The question jolted Elyse into clarity. She asked warily, “What are you really doing in Manfek? It can’t be just to watch my competition. You must have another agenda.”

Brook chuckled softly. “It seems you’re not going to tell me. Well, if you’re with Jayden, you better stay close to him and don’t stray. Otherwise, you won’t have anyone to protect you.”

Elyse sat up, her frustration bubbling over. “What are you plotting? Spill it now.”

“Are you really that clueless? I’m not on your side, so why would I tell you anything? If Jayden’s not filling you in, why should I?” With that, Brook ended the call abruptly.

Fury bubbled inside Elyse. Brook’s cryptic words about Jayden’s lack of forthrightness only added to her frustration. Clearly, something was wrong with both of them.

Fully awake, Elyse dressed quickly, exited her room, and braced herself for a confrontation with Jayden. The situation had escalated beyond a feud between Jayden and the Hudson family; Enzo’s influence loomed, and she was determined to get to the bottom of it.

However, when she descended the stairs, Jayden was nowhere to be found. After a thorough search, she wandered into the garden, where a gardener was methodically tilling the soil. Winter had just relinquished its grip, making way for the burgeoning spring.

Standing among the freshly turned earth, Elyse exhaled in frustration. “Where could he have vanished to? He always seems to slip away just when he’s needed most.”

“Are you searching for Jayden Owen? He has stepped out. Mr. Hudson summoned him, so he left to keep that appointment,” the gardener said.

Elyse turned toward the voice and noticed the gardener, a slim person about 5 feet 7 inches tall, wearing a black hat that shadowed half their face. Elyse squinted, trying to discern their gender. As she stepped closer, she asked, “How long has Jayden been gone?”

“It’s been quite some time. Would you like to see him?” The gardener kept their head lowered.

Elyse inched closer, about to pose another question, when a sudden realization struck her. Why would Jayden’s subordinates address him by his full name and refer to Charlie as Mr. Hudson?

Elyse snapped to attention, backing away with wary eyes. “Identify yourself. You certainly aren’t one of Jayden’s household staff.”

“With a keen eye like yours, Ms. Lloyd, I’m surprised you caught the oddity in my phrasing,” the gardener remarked, raising their gaze. . . .