?<strong>Chapter 290:</strong>


    In the evening, a gray Bentley slowly pulled into the hospital parking garage. Pearce stepped out of the car carrying a basket of fruit and made his way directly to the Inpatient Department. Standing at the ward’s entrance, Pearce peered through the partially open door and spotted Elyse asleep on the bed. He gently pushed the door open, ced the fruit basket on the bedside table, and noticed the worry lines on Elyse’s forehead.


    Earlier that day, Pearce had felt a sudden pang of heartache without understanding its cause. It wasn’t until he read negativements about Elyse online that he realized she had been hurt. Concerned for her safety, he abandoned his work and caught the earliest flight to be by her side. Even in her sleep, Elyse’s face was pale and creased with a frown. Pearce tenderly stroked her brow with his finger, as if trying to ease her troubles.


    “Rest peacefully, don’t dwell on worries while you sleep,” Pearce’s voice was gentle, an attempt to soothe her. With his reassurance, she gradually calmed down. Once Elyse regained herposure, Pearce lingered for a moment, gazing at her before he walked out.


    Later, as Jayden returned to the ward after taking a call, he noticed a fruit basket on the bedside table. Curious as to its origin, Jayden pondered over who could have sent it while Elyse stirred from her sleep. Seated in his wheelchair, Jayden teased, “So, Sleeping Beauty has finally awoken.”


    Still in a daze, Elyse blinked blearily at him. “Did someone visit just now? It felt oddly familiar.”


    Jayden nodded. “Indeed, someone did. They left the fruit basket.”


    After a moment of reflection, Elyse slowly propped herself up with one hand, her expression tinged with disappointment. “I’ve been suspended, unable to partake in the national tour. All my hard work feels wasted.”


    With deliberate care, Jayden retrieved an apple from the basket and began peeling it. “You may be sidelined for now, but remember, I’m here. If you desire that national tour, you can have it.”


    Elyse chuckled. She knew Jayden had the capacity and financial means to facilitate her performance. If she desired to take the stage, Jayden could certainly make it happen. However, she wasn’t ready to give up so easily.


    “I refuse to ept defeat without a fight. Even if I can’t make it to the national tour, I’m determined to prove myself and expose Mabel’s deceit,” Elyse asserted.


    Jayden cut the apple into small pieces and brought a piece close to her lips. “Alright, I’ll help you,” he promised.


    Elyse stared at Jayden, her heart fluttering at his words. But she reminded herself to remainposed. She couldn’t reveal her feelings. Jayden didn’t reciprocate her feelings. He only saw her as a suitable wife, nothing more.


    “Thank you,” Elyse said softly. “It’s what I should do. Remember, I’m your husband.”


    He gently fed her the apple, saying in amanding yet caring manner, “You need to eat and get the nutrition. You haven’t had anything all day.”


    Although Elyse wasn’t particrly hungry, she feltpelled to consume the entire apple under Jayden’s insistence. Despite Jayden’s persistent attempts to feed her more, she firmly declined.


    Jayden had to request Peyton to conduct a checkup on Elyse. Once Peyton confirmed that aside from being weak, Elyse was in good health, she could be discharged from the hospital. Concerned for her well-being, Jayden insisted on keeping Elyse in the hospital for one more night.


    Upon hearing Jayden’s decision, Elyse acquiesced and opted to remain in the hospital as per his arrangement. That night, Elyse found herself seated on the bed, feeling somewhat disoriented. Having slept extensively during the day, she struggled to drift off again. Refusing to confront the intense scrutiny surrounding her by checking her phone, she felt at a loss, unsure of what to do.


    At that moment, Darren called her, his voice weary. “Grace and I reviewed the surveince footage for that time frame. Strangely, only the footage from the day of our first performance was corrupted. Even the backup recordings vanished. I have a suspicion that Mabel might have been involved in tampering with your locker on that day.”


    Elyse recalled that day vividly and eximed, “Exactly. Security wasn’t as tight back then. If Mabel wanted to sneak in, she could have easily done it.”


    Darren’s voice weighed heavily as he replied, “Even if we pinpoint the time, without surveince footage to substantiate our ims, she could easily deny it and use us of fabricating the story.”


    With determination, Elyse clenched her teeth and said, “You’re right. Without solid evidence, we’re at a disadvantage.”


    A strange silence fell between them, thick with unspoken frustration and uncertainty. Darren’s tone shifted to one of slight amusement as he said, “Speaking of which, something quite amusing happened today. Rebekah publicly confessed her love to Freddy.”


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