Chapter 96:
Elyse noticed Jayden seemed unwell and anxiously asked, "What's wrong?"
"I was drugged," he warned. "Stay away from me. I might not be able to control myself." He was struggling to restrain himself, but his gaze held an intense mix of obsession and fervor as he looked at Elyse. The intensity startled her. Despite their close relationship, she wasn't prepared to take things further. She bit her lip, hesitated, then quickly left the bathroom.
She settled on the sofa, waiting for the drug's effects to wear off. Then she heard Brook at the door.
"Elyse, is Jayden in his room?" he called.
Instantly alert, Elyse walked to the door and calmly replied, "Jayden has fallen asleep. He drank too much, and we're getting ready for bed. What do you need?"
"Just checking on him. I hadn't seen him around," Brook replied.
"We're heading to bed now," Elyse said, distrustful.
"Okay then. Good night," Brook said.
Elyse leaned against the door, listening until Brook's footsteps faded. After ensuring no one was there, she sighed with relief and returned to the sofa, where she remained for the night.
The following morning, Jayden emerged from the bathroom in his wheelchair, looking terrible. The drug had been potent, keeping him incapacitated all night. His face was ghostly pale.
"Jayden, are you okay? Do you have any idea who might have drugged you?" Elyse asked, concern etched on her features.
"I don't know, but I won't let them get away with it," Jayden replied grimly.
"I think it might have been Brook," Elyse said, her expression tense.
"Why do you think that?" Jayden asked, his gaze dropping thoughtfully.
"He was the only one who came by last night, asking if you were in your room," Elyse explained.
"It could be him then," Jayden said wearily, rubbing his forehead. "Call Peyton. We need to go to the hospital."
"We should head out before breakfast," Elyse agreed.
Jayden nodded, and they left before anyone else awoke. Upon arriving at the hospital, Peyton immediately took Jayden for a check-up while Elyse waited outside the ward.
Behind the closed curtains, Peyton asked, puzzled, "How did you manage after being drugged with such a potent philter?"
"I soaked in cold water," Jayden replied.
"You could have asked Elyse to help you," Peyton said, surprised. "She's your wife. Why didn't you ask her?"
Jayden ignored the question and changed the subject. "What does the Foster family have that made my grandfather forgive them?"
Peyton's lighthearted demeanor vanished. He answered seriously, "They own a piece of land. It's undeveloped now, but it holds potential for high returns. Your grandfather now controls that land."
"As I suspected," Jayden murmured. He knew his grandfather well enough to understand that ordinary reparations wouldn't suffice; it had to be something of significant value.
Peyton chuckled. "So, what's the plan with Joanna? Are you really planning to have two ladies living with you?"
"You want a slap in the face?" Jayden retorted, half-joking.
"You lucky dog," Peyton grinned. Jayden's expression darkened. Peyton paused, then asked more seriously, "What are you going to do? Are you really going to accept her?"
After a long silence, Jayden finally said, "They want me to marry her because it's profitable. But what if it wasn't?"
Peyton raised an eyebrow. "What are you planning to do?"
Jayden smiled enigmatically and said nothing.
Meanwhile, Elyse, sitting in a chair, received a call from Wanda. She replied uncertainly, "Do you really want me to represent the orchestra on a show? Thank you, Ms. Hopkins. I promise I won't let you down."
Half an hour later, Jayden emerged from the ward with a prescription Peyton had written. Noticing Elyse's smile, he asked curiously, "What's got you so happy?"
"I've been given a chance to be on a show! I'll be playing the violin on TV," Elyse exclaimed joyfully.
Jayden chuckled. "Aren't you worried you'll be too nervous to finish the performance?"
Elyse looked at him, clearly annoyed by his condescending smile, and retorted, "No, I won't be. I'm skilled at it."