Chapter 891:

When Elyse glimpsed his face, a shudder of terror seized her. The man had garish red lips and a ghastly pale complexion, like the walking dead. His slightly curled locks blurred the lines of gender from a distance. A grotesque scar marred his forehead, lending him an unsettling aura.

Shaking with fear, Elyse stammered, “Who—who are you? You’re clearly not with Jayden. How did you infiltrate this place?”

“Quite boldly, I might add,” the gardener chuckled darkly, revealing his sinister intentions. “After eliminating the real gardener and stealing his identity, I simply strolled in. Mr. Hudson sends his regards, along with an invitation for a meal. Would you be interested in joining?”

“No sane person would,” Elyse snapped, before racing off.

As she sprinted, her screams pierced the air, prompting the villa’s servants to converge. The gardener sauntered forward, his eyes fixed on the servants—all well-trained fighters. He declared menacingly, “It makes no difference whether you’re bodyguards or mercenaries. I’m going to end each of your lives.”

One of the servants urgently grasped Elyse’s hand, urging, “Ms. Lloyd, you must leave immediately! Mr. Owen has been absent for some time, and you must avoid capture!”

As they made their escape, the servant maintained a firm grip on her hand. Elyse, taken aback, turned and inquired, “Aren’t you the maid at Jayden’s villa in Watscar? The one who regularly cleans the corridors? Is that really you?”

Tears welled up in the maid’s eyes as they fled. Between breaths, she confirmed, “Yes, it’s me. I’m touched that you remembered. I accompanied Mr. Owen to Manfek to serve you. It’s been a long time since you were home, and everyone is longing for your return.”

In that moment, Elyse recognized the familiar layout and decorations of the villa. They mirrored those of their Watscar residence. She realized why she had navigated the villa effortlessly upon arrival—from finding her room to locating the dining hall. It dawned on her that Jayden had orchestrated everything in secret.

Elyse’s emotions were a tangled mess. She spotted a parked car by the roadside. A man stood silently beside it, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, its ember glowing sporadically.

Taking a few steps forward, Elyse halted as the maid stepped protectively in front of her.

“Ms. Lloyd, you should escape. I’ll handle this. Nothing’s going to happen to you.” The maid, who had traveled to Manfek solely for Elyse’s sake, was resolute in her commitment to protect her.

Elyse eyed the man with a look of mixed emotions. “Brook, did you call me for this? Did you travel to Manfek just to capture me?”