Chapter 95:

After dinner, Enzo retired to his room for some sleep. Jayden and Elyse were also preparing for bed, but their elders insisted they join them for a drink.

Elyse, unable to tolerate alcohol, felt woozy after a couple of sips of wine. Longing for sleep, she was escorted back to her room by Brook, who volunteered.

In a haze, Elyse stumbled, barely aware of her surroundings. Collapsing onto the bed, she murmured Jayden's name involuntarily.

Standing by the door, Brook smirked. "Looks like you have a thing for him," he remarked ambiguously before closing the door and leaving.

Later, Elyse was startled awake by a scream. She sat up, her heart pounding.

Rushing outside, she found a group of people heading away. "What's going on?" she asked anxiously.

Jessie turned, her expression troubled. "Where were you? We didn't see you."

"I got tipsy and went to a guest room. What happened?" Elyse asked.

Jessie frowned, whispering, "Something's up. It seems to involve Jayden."

Realization dawning, Elyse pushed through the crowd and entered a room. In the dim light, she saw two figures embracing.

Brook flicked on the lights, surprised. "Joanna? What's going on? Are you sharing the bed with Jayden?"

Elyse frowned.

Joanna stirred, her face flushed. "I... I don't know. I came in first, and then Jayden followed."

The man beside her remained motionless.

Elyse wondered, "How could they be so sure it was Jayden without seeing his face?"

Ignoring attempts to stop her, she approached the bed and pulled back the covers. To her surprise, it wasn't Jayden, but Bryce.

"Bryce, why are you here?" she exclaimed.

Bryce's mother, Tess, was furious at seeing her son asleep in Joanna's bed. She stormed over, her anger palpable, and slapped Joanna. "You whore! What have you done to my son? Did you do it? You'll regret it!"

Joanna's head spun. She realized it was Bryce, and she had no idea what had happened. Unconsciously, she glanced at Brook; he was gone. Bewildered, she stammered, "I... I don't know. Nothing happened between me and Bryce. He came into the room on his own."

"Ha! So you're saying my son made a move on you? My boy wouldn't fall for someone like you. Get out of my face, you tramp!" Tess shoved Joanna from the bed, revealing a hickey on her neck.

Julie quipped, "Seems like Jayden might have to step aside and let his younger brother have a shot with Joanna."

Tess glared at Joanna. "My son will never marry someone like you."

Elyse suspected a setup. Did Joanna mistake Bryce for Jayden? And if so, why? Was this a trap?

Unwilling to become involved, Elyse sought Jayden, who was still absent. After searching several rooms, she found him in the bathroom, submerged in a cold bath, his skin unnaturally flushed.

"Jayden! There you are," she exclaimed, rushing to his side.

As she reached for him, he startled awake, gripping her wrist. "Ouch! Jayden, it's me."

Recognizing her, he released her, his voice exhausted and strained. "What's going on out there?"

"Joanna and Bryce were found in bed together. Before anyone saw them clearly, everyone assumed it was you. It seems to be a carefully orchestrated scheme," she explained.

Jayden nodded grimly. "Yes, they wanted to set me up. But I'm not sure who else was involved."

"I don't know either. But your mother was livid and took it out on Joanna," she said.

As Elyse finished, Jayden's tone became curt. "Give me a moment."

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