?<strong>Chapter 101:</strong>


    Knowing Elyse was married, the girl nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll fill in Elyse once she’s back.” After hanging up, she reyed Jayden’s frosty voice and couldn’t help but shiver.


    “Thanks a bunch, Mr. Reed. It’s a real honor for us to partner up with the TV station,” Kai said, blushing from the wine. He rose, holding his ss. “Hey, everybody, let’s raise a toast to Mr. Reed. Thank him for giving us this shot!”


    The orchestra members raised their sses in gratitude to Barnes Reed, a director at the TV station. A little tipsy, Barnes waved his hand. “I picked you because your guys are sharp and on the ball. I dig your attitude. Otherwise, why would I go for you instead of all the other orchestras out there?”


    Kai was thrown off. Didn’t the TV station approach them? They had never taken the initiative to get this deal. Too sloshed to think straight, Kai forced a smile and kept drinking.


    Suddenly, Barnes stood. “I’m feeling a bit woozy. I have to go now.”


    “Sure thing,” Kai replied, not catching on. A few minutester, the door opened, and four bouncers barged in.


    “Elyse!” Jayden wheeled himself in and scanned the room anxiously, only to find Elyse not there. The orchestra members were baffled until the one who had received Jayden’s call on Elyse’s phone woke up with a jolt. She blurted out, “Elyse hasn’te back from the bathroom!”


    Jayden frowned. “How long has she been gone? Why hasn’t she returned?” It dawned on the girl that Elyse had been missing for quite some time.


    A bodyguard approached Jayden, whispering in his ear. Jayden’s expression shifted, and he left the room. “Check the surveince,” he ordered.


    Soon, he had the footage. It showed two men carrying Elyse into the elevator, heading for room 1608. Her powerless appearance on the video was proof she’d been drugged.


    The bodyguard added, “The video was tampered with, but we managed to salvage it.”


    “Good. Keep digging,” Jaydenmanded, nodding. The bodyguard handed over a master keycard he’d swiped from the hotel manager.


    As Jayden ascended the stairs, Elyse fought for survival. Her phone was in the dining room; she couldn’t call for help. Sensing the rising temperature and numbness in her abdomen, she knew she was in trouble.


    With herst ounce of strength, she crawled into the bathroom, turned on the cold water, and locked the door. She’d be damned if she let any many a finger on her.


    Barnes reached the floor and heard the running water. He grinned eagerly. “Hey, pretty, waiting for me in there? You sure know how to y.” He moved towards the bathroom.


    Hearing his sleazyughter, Elyse bit her lip, her mind racing. Since Jayden had managed to survive a night like that, she believed she could make it too. Yet she hoped Jayden wouldn’t be too angry. If he called again and couldn’t reach her, he could think she was in danger.


    Deep in thought, Elyse heard the footsteps approaching. She copsed in the bathroom, terrified and tense. After flirting with her for a bit, Barnes noticed Elyse’sck of response. Losing patience, he tried to open the door, but it was locked. Elyse had barricaded herself in.


    Barnes resorted to kicking the door. He went again and again. The bathroom door was flimsy. Curled up in a corner, Elyse trembled, fearing it would give in. But the drug was overpowering her, and her consciousness was fading.


    Finally, after several hard kicks, the door burst open. Elyse was utterly hopeless.


    At the sight of her cowering, Barnes was ecstatic, about to make his move. “What the heck are you…” Barnes yelled suddenly. Next second, he was knocked to the floor.


    Elyse was slipping into unconsciousness and didn’t hear themotion outside. Soon, she was enveloped in a warm embrace. In a daze, she saw Jayden’s face.


    “Jayden…”


    Jayden lifted her face, realizing her condition was worse than he thought. Flushed and with affectionate eyes, she looked captivating. Her wet clothes clung to her, entuating her figure.


    Seeing Jayden, herst defense crumbled. She threw herself into his arms, seekingfort.


    Feeling her warmth and passion, Jayden was stirred. He nced at the bodyguards by the bathroom door and ordered, “Out. Take that guy with you.”


    The bodyguardsplied, dragging the unconscious Barnes out and closing the door behind them.


    “Hang in there, Elyse. I’ll get you to the hospital,” Jayden said, taking off his coat and draping it over her.


    Elyse pushed it away weakly, moaning, “It’s too hot.”


    Jayden hesitated, wanting to cover her up. He didn’t want anyone else to see her like this. But once again, he was drawn to her.


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