?<strong>Chapter 355:</strong>


    Hearing Elyse’s exnation, Pearce was even more taken aback. “Both your parents have incurable diseases at the same time? That’s incredibly tough.”


    Elyse’s eyes revealed a swirl of emotions. “You got the wrong idea. I’m doing this for my real parents.”


    Pearce was surprised. “Your biological parents? I thought your current parents were your biological ones.”


    “I’d rather not talk about it,” Elyse responded with a deep sigh, her eyes wandering to the trees around her as her mood darkened.


    Standing next to her, Pearce felt uneasy too. Despite his sharp mind, he couldn’t grasp why Elyse’s biological and current parents weren’t the same. Then he wondered, could it be that Elyse’s biological parents were the people he had been searching for? After all, Elyse looked remarkably like the person he was trying to find.


    Pearce thought about how to ask about Elyse’s biological parents, but before he could organize his thoughts, Elyse said she wanted to leave.


    Pearce nodded. In the car, Pearce held the steering wheel and casually asked, “I’ve been with you all day. Can you tell me about your biological parents?”


    Elyse felt a wave of sleepiness. Rousing slightly at his question, she smiled and asked, “Are you really that interested in my biological parents?”


    Gal n o v el s . is your destination for fiction


    Pearce joked, “Absolutely. You’re so beautiful. Your parents must be equally amazing.”


    A hint of sadness passed over Elyse’s face. “I can’t give you a clear answer either because I’ve never met them. I’m curious about how they look too,” she confessed.


    Pearce continued, “You mean you’ve never seen them before?”


    Elyse sighed. “I only learned yesterday that my biological parents are different people. But I’ll get to see my mother’s photos tomorrow.” Elyse murmured softly, closing her eyes. “I can finally see her. I miss her so much.”


    “What did you say?” Pearce hadn’t heard her. He asked again but got no reply. Looking over, he noticed Elyse had fallen asleep. Leaning against the seat with her head on the door frame, Elyse looked troubled. Pearce sighed and decided not to probe further.


    When they reached downtown, Pearce gently woke Elyse. In a daze, Elyse opened her eyes and saw they were in the parking lot. After a moment of confusion, she gathered herself and said to Pearce, “Thank you for the ride back.”


    Pearce pulled out his cigarettes, lit one, and inhaled deeply. Leaning back, he looked at Elyse with a yful expression, which made her uneasy. Unsure of his gaze, she shifted ufortably and asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”


    “You’re in a bit of trouble,” Pearce announced.


    Elyse was confused. “Trouble? What kind of trouble?”


    Pearce grinned and said, “Your phone rang while you were asleep. At a red light, I answered it. The caller ID said ‘Silly Billy.''”


    Elyse’s face went pale as she asked in a shaky voice, “What did you tell him?”


    Pearce shrugged. “Not much. I just told him it wasn’t a good time for you to talk because you were sleeping. I promised him I’d let you know about the call once we returned to downtown so you could return his call.”


    Elyse felt a wave of anxiety. “And what did he say?”


    Pearce cleared his throat and imitated the subdued voice. “He just said ‘okay.''”


    Elyse was surprised. “That’s it?”


    “Yes,” Pearce responded, his voiceced with amusement. “You should call him and clear things up. I don’t get involved with married women.”


    Feeling a rush of urgency, Elyse took out her phone and made the call.


    After Elyse left, Jayden retreated to his study to concentrate on his work. An hourter, Driscoll came in with the news that Corrie had arrived.


    Jayden, slightly irritated, asked, “Didn’t she say she woulde this afternoon? Why is she here now?”


    Driscoll looked slightly ufortable as he replied, “She said she had toe early because of an urgent issue.”


    Jayden instructed briskly, “Let her in.”


    Corrie entered and followed Driscoll to the small garden. Jayden was in his wheelchair, busy typing on his mobile phone. After Driscoll led Corrie in, he left.


    Corrie looked at Jayden and softly said, “How are your legs now?”


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