?<strong>Chapter 428:</strong>


    Theo was having breakfast in his office and catching up on messages he hadn’t answered from the night before.


    As he was doing this, a call from Freda came through, prompting a flicker of disgust across his face. Rather than hanging up, he let the phone ring until it stopped on its own.


    Zandra had been eager to forge a union with the Jimenez family through her son’s marriage, seeking their resources and connections. Thus, Theo couldn’t sever ties with Freda entirely.


    After responding to his messages, he switched to a news app and spotted the top story about the advanced contestants at yesterday’s Champions Cup selectionpetition.


    A photo of Elyse apanied the article, and upon seeing it, his eyes brightened. He quickly saved the photo to his favorites.


    Just then, the door to his office swung open, and Zandra entered, her high heels clicking on the floor. She gave her son aplex look.


    Since theirst argument, they had made an effort to avoid each other, barely speaking even over the phone.


    She hadn’t seen Theo in a long time and missed him.


    Concerned about his recent date with Freda, she hade to check on him.


    Containing her emotions, she tapped her fingertips on the table and asked stiffly, “How was your date with Freda yesterday?”


    Theo replied calmly, “I did all I could do. Whether she’s satisfied, I couldn’t say. Nor do I care.”


    Hearing his indifferent response, Zandra sighed. “I think Freda really likes you. Why don’t you consider her? After all, sincere love is valuable.”


    Theo’s reply was cold. “That’s true for me too. Elyse is my only love, and I don’t want anyone else.”


    Seeing Theo’s stubbornness, Zandra decided not to push any further. It would only irritate him.


    She knew well that Elyse had no interest in Theo. Her heart belonged to Jayden.


    As long as Elyse’s feelings remained unchanged, that was all that mattered.


    “All right, but for the sake of the resources from the Jimenez family, you’d better treat Freda well and take her out more often to keep her happy. Only then can our cooperation continue smoothly,” Zandra advised.


    Theo frowned and replied, “I know. I don’t need you to remind me. I’ll do what’s necessary.”


    Zandra observed his cold yet handsome face, noting how much he resembled his father.


    A mix of emotions flickered in her eyes as she asked softly, “Have you been in touch with your dad recently?”


    Theo’s demeanor softened considerably. As long as the conversation steered clear of Freda, he was more open to dialogue. “Dad is doing well. He’s in the forest, found some rare nts, and stayed to observe them. The signal there is poor, so he gets news quite slowly.”


    Zandra leaned against the table, arms crossed, imagining her husband engrossed in his botanical studies.


    She finally sighed, nodded, and said, “Okay, I see. As long as he is safe.” Then, she turned and left Theo’s office.


    Theo was surprised she didn’t push further for him to give up Elyse and pursue Freda.


    Unexpectedly, his mother seemed to have changed, opting not to nag as she usually did. Theo’s mood lifted.


    At the Blue Sea Music Studio, Fiona was lounging on the sofa, enjoying a hot dog she had made herself.


    She had been practicing for several hours straight and couldn’t endure the high-intensity practicing any longer. Yet, Elyse continued without pause.


    Worried, Fiona urged her, “Elyse, stop practicing. Come and eat something.”


    ying the violin required physical stamina, so Fiona made sure to cook something nutritious every day to supplement her diet.


    Elyse, however, didn’t respond. She was lost in her music,pletely absorbed.


    Gavin, noticing this, smiled and said, “Forget it. Elyse is in the zone right now. She got scolded by Irving this morning, and I doubt she’ll stop anytime soon.”


    Fiona nced over at Irving, who was devouring a hot dog.


    Feeling their gazes, Irving chuckled. “Why are you looking at me? I wasn’t wrong to scold her. It was her mistake. As her senior, I have a responsibility.”


    Fiona frowned and said, “I saw tears in her eyes.”


    Gavin added, “She was sniffling.”


    “So what? I did it for her own good. She didn’tin and kept practicing, didn’t she?” Irving replied indifferently.


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