?<strong>Chapter 542:</strong>


    Jayden furrowed his brow. “I was only out for a few hours. You’re being too serious, no need toy into me so harshly.”


    Peyton was seething. He had stayed up waiting for Jayden, who never seemed to appreciate his efforts. He had said those words to Jayden because he hoped that Jayden and Elyse would get along better.


    But now, Jayden was using him of being too serious and overly harsh.


    Frustrated, Peyton blurted out, “Why can’t you see my point? Sometimes I just want to crack open your head and see what’s inside.”


    Jayden responded firmly, “I had my reasons for meeting Corrie Bates. Don’t worry, nothing’s going on. I don’t even like her.”


    Peyton rolled his eyes. “Whether you like her or not isn’t the issue. It’s about you and Elyse.”


    He wanted to exin further, but the stern look on Jayden’s face stopped him. It hit him then—he could never change Jayden’s mind.


    Jayden had always despised Enzo’s way of thinking, yet he had been raised by Enzo. As a result, his own thought processes and actions bore a resemnce to Enzo’s.


    Struck by this realization, Peyton found himself at a loss for words.


    Jayden had adhered to this mindset for nearly 30 years. Peyton doubted a few words would alter his perspective.


    Perhaps Jayden didn’t recognize his errors but felt he was addressing something critical. Peyton realized the root of the issue and pondered how to best exin it to Jayden.


    He paused, collecting his thoughts, then suggested, “Tomorrow, when Elyse wakes up, tell her everything that happened after you met Corrie Bates.”


    Jayden’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Do I really have to?”


    “It’s essential,” Peyton insisted, his voice firm. “If you don’t, you might lose her forever.” Peyton’s voice grew louder, trying to emphasize his point.


    Despite his doubts, Jayden reluctantly nodded, though he wasn’t fully convinced of the need for such a disclosure.


    Relieved but exhausted, Peyton wiped the sweat from his brow. In his eyes, Jayden was undeniably a clueless fool.


    The following morning, as Elyse gradually came to life against her pillow, Jayden, hearing her stir, sat up in another bed.


    Catching a glimpse of him, Elyse was unsure of when Jayden had returned. Deciding it was better not to pry, she resolved to keep out of his affairs.


    Jayden had yet to grasp the severity of the situation. Once he was clearheaded, he remembered Peyton’s warning and paused to think. He then began to unfold the events of the previous night after encountering Corrie.


    As he finished recounting the story, he looked at Elyse uncertainly and asked, “Were you upset, Elyse?”


    With a gentle smile, Elyse responded, “Upset? Not at all, Jayden.”


    Jayden noticed her radiant smile and felt something was off, but he dismissed the thought that she could be angry, given how brightly she was smiling at him.


    In the past, an angry Elyse would have given him the cold shoulder, but now she not only engaged in conversation but also smiled warmly. It didn’t seem like she was upset at all.


    He mused that Elyse had grown more mature since her pregnancy.


    Unaware of Jayden’s thoughts, Elyse closed her eyes to rest, her mind heavy with doubts about their marriage. She believed their rtionship had stalled—neither exceptionally good nor particrly bad.


    She reassured herself that their marriage was far better than many, deciding to be content and not let external factors affect her or her unborn child.


    When theyter rose for the day, Driscoll arrived punctually with breakfast. He immediately sensed Elyse’s somber mood. As Elyse ate, he escorted Jayden out of the ward and whispered, “Sir, have you upset your wife?”


    Jayden’s face tightened with a frown. “No, I didn’t.”


    Driscoll remained skeptical.


    Though he considered Jayden a good man, he couldn’t overlook his slowness in matters of the heart.


    Driscoll countered, “Impossible. She seemed quite upset. What happened between you two after I leftst night?”


    His probing seemed to strike a nerve. Jayden fixed a stern gaze on Driscoll and snapped, “I told you, nothing happened. Don’t you trust me?”


    Realizing he had pushed too far, Driscoll bowed his head, prepared to face any reprimand Jayden deemed fit.


    Yet, Jayden did nothing more. Masking his concern with indifference, he turned and walked away.


    Still, he couldn’t shake the nagging thought—was Elyse really angry? Had he inadvertently upset her again?


    Meanwhile, in her hospital ward, Elyse was midway through a meal when her phone rang. It was Mabel.


    Elyse swiped to answer, and Mabel’s haughty tone filled the air.


    “Elyse Lloyd, I’m offering you a chance. Find my father a defense attorney, and I’ll overlook everything you’ve done in the past.”


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