Chapter 950:
Hyde nodded in agreement, his mind swirling with what to do next. In stark contrast, Mabel’s mood had soured. Fetching Elyse felt like an imposition, almost as if she were being asked to prostrate herself. The very idea of coffee with Elyse seemed absurd.
She wandered the mall aimlessly, clinging to a faint hope. Mabel had no idea why Elyse was there, so her search was haphazard, driven by a slim chance of a fortuitous encounter. Internally, she hoped not to find Elyse, planning to return to Hyde in half an hour with news of her failure.
Surprisingly, she bumped into Elyse. Frowning, Mabel blocked Elyse’s path. Elyse, clutching a bag of snacks and pulling Geraldine along, halted and asked warily, “What do you want?”
Elevating her chin defiantly, Mabel responded, “Come with me. I’ll buy you coffee.”
Elyse paused, suspecting a misunderstanding. Mabel had suggested coffee. Momentarily perplexed, Elyse quickly regained her composure, suspecting deceit. She responded with a dismissive snort, “Do you really think I want your coffee? No thanks. Leave me alone.”
Ignoring Mabel, Elyse grabbed Geraldine and started to walk past. Mabel, having no real interest in coffee but driven by thoughts of Hyde, swallowed her pride to intercept her. “Stop! You can’t just leave.” Mabel stepped in front of Elyse.
Elyse, puzzled, confronted Mabel. “What do you want? We should stay out of each other’s business. Why can’t you leave me alone?”
Mabel, clenching her teeth, retorted, “You think I enjoy this? I wouldn’t bother if my boyfriend didn’t want to meet you.”
Elyse, taken aback, replied, “What does your relationship have to do with me? Don’t expect any favors.”
Mabel glared and pleaded, “Please, just meet him once. That’s all I’m asking.”
Surprise registered on Elyse’s face. Mabel, long considering her an arch-enemy, was pleading for a man? Conflicted emotions surfaced as Elyse observed Mabel’s dejected expression and inquired, “Is he really that important to you? You never seemed so desperate when you chased after Theo.”
“Hyde is nothing like Theo. Don’t insult my boyfriend,” Mabel snapped, visibly upset.