?<strong>Chapter 239:</strong>


    Elyse had just sat down and taken a sip of water when Corrie entered the private room, wine ss in hand and a smile on her face. As Corrie took a seat next to Jayden, Elyse couldn’t help but frown. The scent of Corrie’s perfume made Jayden grimace.


    “Stay away from me.”


    Corrie tried to hide her embarrassment behind a smile. “This perfume was a gift from you, remember?” she replied, ncing subtly at Elyse.


    Elyse’s expression of disappointment didn’t go unnoticed by Corrie, who felt a surge of satisfaction. That was the look she was hoping for.


    Jayden cut her off sharply. “You’re mistaken. I’ve never given you perfume.”


    Ha! Peyton couldn’t hold back a snicker at Jayden’s blunt denial. Embarrassed but quick to shift the focus, Corrie asked, “So what’s the celebration tonight? Why is everyone here?”


    Peyton cleared his throat, still suppressing his amusement. “Elyse just wrapped up her first performance as concertmaster. We’re celebrating her sess.”


    Elyse blushed under everyone’s gaze. Corrie caught the look of admiration in Jayden’s eyes and tightened her jaw. Having once yed the role of Jayden’s girlfriend, albeit falsely, she could sense the stark difference in how he now treated Elysepared to her.


    She studied Elyse critically. Beyond her violin skills, Corrie saw nothing extraordinary about her. Yet Jayden’s eyes softened when theynded on Elyse. Could it really be love? With a scoff, Corrie doubted it internally. Could someone as detached as Jayden truly grasp the concept of love?


    Meanwhile, Elyse received a congrattory message from a friend, filling her with warmth. She excitedly shared the news with Jayden, and the two leaned close, whispering andughing, oblivious to Corrie’s growing irritation.


    Corrie leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands with a sigh. “Today just isn’t my day. I went on seven blind dates aftering home, and all seven were a bust.” She nced at Elyse with a hint of envy. “You and Jayden are so in love. I’ve never seen him this gentle and attentive with me.” Turning to Jayden, she asked softly, “Why weren’t you like that with me?”


    Elyse, feeling a bit off by Corrie’s remarks, nced at Jayden, searching for his reaction.


    gα?ησν????s is where imagination thrives


    “Do you really want to get married that badly?” Jayden asked Corrie, a serious tone in his voice.


    Corrie responded with a pointed question, “Are you saying you don’t want me to settle down yet?”


    Corrie caught the look of admiration in Jayden’s eyes and tightened her jaw. Having once yed the role of Jayden’s girlfriend, albeit falsely, she could sense the stark difference in how he now treated Elysepared to her. She studied Elyse critically. Beyond her violin skills, Corrie saw nothing extraordinary about her. Yet Jayden’s eyes softened when theynded on Elyse. Could it really be love? With a scoff, Corrie doubted it internally. Could someone as detached as Jayden truly grasp the concept of love?


    Meanwhile, Elyse received a congrattory message from a friend, filling her with warmth. She excitedly shared the news with Jayden, and the two leaned close, whispering andughing, oblivious to Corrie’s growing irritation.


    Corrie leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands with a sigh. “Today just isn’t my day. I went on seven blind dates aftering home, and all seven were a bust.” She nced at Elyse with a hint of envy. “You and Jayden are so in love. I’ve never seen him this gentle and attentive with me.” Turning to Jayden, she asked softly, “Why weren’t you like that with me?”


    Elyse, feeling a bit off by Corrie’s remarks, nced at Jayden, searching for his reaction.


    “Do you really want to get married that badly?” Jayden asked Corrie, a serious tone in his voice.


    Corrie responded with a pointed question: “Are you saying you don’t want me to settle down yet?”


    Jayden met her gaze. “I hope you can make it and won’t die alone,” he teased.


    As the conversation continued, Elyse felt increasingly left out, sitting quietly to the side, nursing her drink in frustration. Clive, sitting across from Elyse, noticed her difort and fixed Corrie with a displeased look. “This dinner wasn’t meant for you. Don’t you have other ces to be?”


    Corrie looked up, feigning innocence. “What’s the problem? I’m just trying to join the conversation.”


    Elyse exchanged a surprised look with Clive, whose expression darkened further.


    Peyton, sensing the tension, intervened. “Look, you weren’t really invited tonight. Maybe it’s best if you head home.”


    Corrie stubbornly remained seated, eager to irk Elyse further and prove her dominance.


    Peyton sighed, recalling Clive’s strong aversion to Corrie. Clive usually avoided these gatherings if Corrie was around.


    Without another word, Clive stood abruptly, grabbed Corrie by the cor, and marched her out of the room.


    Once the door shut, Peyton remarked to the rest, “Everyone knows Clive can’t stand Corrie. My mistake.”


    Jayden frowned, concerned. “Go check on them. Make sure Clive doesn’t go too far.”


    Peyton nodded and hurried out.


    Jayden then turned to Elyse, who looked troubled. “Are you okay?”


    Elyse met his gaze, a depth of emotion in her eyes. “Do you have any feelings left for Corrie?”


    Jayden looked puzzled. “Why would you think that?”


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