?<strong>Chapter 548:</strong>


    Elyse couldn’t contain her frustration any longer. Though she was still mad at Jayden for not trusting her, seeing Andrew and Tess treat Jayden so callously made her even more furious.


    “Jayden pretended to be disabled for a year, and all you think is that he was shirking family responsibilities? Have you ever cared about him as his parents?”


    Tess absolutely abhorred Elyse. She deemed Elyse unworthy of being her daughter-inw due to her modest family background.


    She initially had set her sights on Corrie as her ideal daughter-inw, but Corrie’s involvement with Brook dashed Tess’ hopes, leaving her resentful and irritated.


    “We are having a conversation with our son. What right does an outsider like you have to interfere?” she spat out. Unable to contain her contempt, Tess snatched a cup from the table and hurled it without a second thought.


    Jayden reacted swiftly, standing protectively in front of Elyse as the cup narrowly missed them, shattering on the floor.


    Jayden looked at the broken pieces scattered at their feet and cast a withering nce at Tess, who was panting heavily. He sneered, saying, “You have a penchant for throwing things, don’t you? Well, throw whatever you like. We’re not sticking around for it.”


    As they made to leave, Tess’ sharp voice cut through the air,manding, “Who said you could leave? Jayden,e back this instant, or forget about ever calling me your mother again.”


    Tess seemed convinced that Jayden wouldn’t dare defy her.


    She believed nobody would ever want to lose their parents, and even the indifferent Jayden was no exception.


    She stood with a sort of smug satisfaction, waiting for him toe crawling back.


    But Tess and Andrew had underestimated Jayden. He had long ceased yearning for their affection.


    Jayden calmly said, “There’s no need. By cutting ties with the Owen n, I am also cutting ties with you. I’d much rather be an orphan.”


    His words hung heavy in the air, leaving Andrew and Tess dumbfounded. He then grabbed Elyse’s hand and turned to quickly leave the room.


    In a fit of rage, Andrewshed out, pping Jayden right across his face.


    Though Jayden could have easily dodged the blow, he chose not to.


    Elyse gasped in shock, quickly checking his face.


    The sight of Jayden’s reddened cheek only fueled her anger.


    “How could you hit Jayden? He’s still recovering from his injuries. Why would you do such a thing?” Elyse’s voice quivered with fury.


    Seeing Andrew advance toward Elyse, Jayden immediately pulled her into his arms.


    “You can take your anger out on me, buty a hand on my wife, and you’ll regret it. She’s carrying my child. Touch her, and you’ll answer to me,” he warned, his tone icy.


    Andrew recoiled, his features contorted with a mixture of shock and hostility. “She’s pregnant? You would allow someone like her, whocks any semnce of refinement, to bear your child?”


    Jayden’s expression hardened. “She’s the only one I want to have my child.”


    With a venomous re at Elyse’s belly, Andrew stormed back into the private room. Jayden took Elyse’s hand and led her away as fast as her feet would let him.


    Elyse trailed behind him with her thoughts all jumbled up, but her heart softened again, seeing the handprint on his face.


    As they descended in the elevator and reached the parking lot, Elyse couldn’t suppress her curiosity. “Will cutting ties with the Owen n have such a big impact? Your parents seemed furious.”


    Jayden scoffed, his tone tinged with bitterness. “Of course, they’re furious. Every Owen cares only about his own interests. Disassociating from them threatens their status and wealth. Naturally, they’re rattled.”


    Elyse nodded, unsure of what to say.


    “But if they think I’ll give in, apologize, and return to their fold, they’re sorely mistaken,” he added.


    Puzzled, Elyse asked, “And why is that?”


    A cryptic smile yed upon Jayden’s lips, his gaze inscrutable. “Because by now, the entire Owen n must know I’m no longer one of them. A traitor like me isn’t wee back.”


    Elyse struggled to understand the Owen n’s standing. All this just because Jayden did not want to follow Enzo’s wishes and had his own ideas instead?


    Enzo was truly unreasonable.


    ———Jayden was right. News of Jayden’s estrangement from the Owen n spread like wildfire.


    Even employees within the Owen Group had received the message, refusing to engage in any business cooperation with Jayden.


    Debora was stunned when she received the news. She quickly rushed to Brook’s office in disbelief, and upon finding Brook calmly working at his desk, her astonishment only deepened. “Haven’t you heard? Jayden has been kicked out of our n!” she eximed.


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