?<strong>Chapter 553:</strong>


    Elyse’s eyes glistened with tears, but her voice rang out with unwavering determination. “I will take matters into my own hands and avenge the tragic loss of my parents!”


    Jayden, his heart heavy with concern for Elyse’s emotional turmoil, gently ushered her to her room, allowing her to rest while he saw Morgan off.


    Clutching the treasured photograph of her parents, the sole tangible remnant of their memory, Elyse slipped it beneath her pillow before closing her eyes.


    Despite uncovering the crucial evidence, the past few days had taken a toll on Morgan. Her weary eyes drooped with exhaustion, and the usual vibrancy that graced her appearance had faded.


    A car awaited Morgan at the driveway.


    Turning to Jayden, Morgan expressed her heartfelt gratitude, “I am in your debt, Jayden. My investigation has revealed that you provided a safe haven for Elyse when she was at her lowest, granting her a sense of dignity in her darkest hour. I really appreciate it.”


    Jayden, caught off guard by Morgan’s words, replied, “It is I who should be grateful to Elyse for entrusting me with her care. It was as if destiny had brought us together.”


    A bit of a weary smile graced Morgan’s features as she reflected, “Indeed, fate had a hand in these events. Today, Elyse has brought me a newfound peace, reminding me that over two decades ago, I was powerless against the merciless Lanny.


    The heavens had paused my journey, allowing me to confront him when I had be stronger.”


    She paused, a soft sniffle escaping her. “Recovering my memories has plunged me into a tempestuous sea of guilt, regret, and self-reproach.


    Why did my recollections resurface now and not sooner? I kept asking myself this question. It wasn’t until Elyse spoke those words that I could finally find sce and forgive myself.”


    Jayden remained silent, keenly aware of the heavy burden that weighed upon Morgan’s heart.


    Comforting others was not his strongest suit, yet Elyse had offered Morgan a fresh perspective, unraveling the tangled web of emotions within her.


    After a prolonged silence, Jayden spoke. “Elyse is a truly remarkable woman.”


    Morgan nodded in agreement, her gesture conveying a world of gratitude. “I couldn’t agree more.” With that, she ced a reassuring hand on Jayden’s shoulder and then slipped into the waiting car.


    After seeing Morgan off, Jayden returned to the bedroom to find Elyse already lost in the embrace of slumber.


    He approached her cautiously, taking note of the tear tracks that marred her delicate features. Gently, he extended his hand to wipe away the remnants of her sorrow.


    Meanwhile, Freda, who had isted herself in her room for what felt like an eternity, finally made an appearance. She had been on a silent protest fast for days, all because her father had twisted her arm into apologizing to Gavin.


    She was convinced her fatherpletely misunderstood her. She had sacrificed everything for her love.


    Now, her father had taken it upon himself to single-handedly sever almost all the pending coborations with the Ward family, leaving only a few that couldn’t be canceled for the present.


    Freda realized that her rtionship with Theo had hit a dead end.


    Theo had blocked her on every tform and had sworn to sever all ties with her. The realization struck her like a bolt from the blue, casting her future into a sudden void of despair. But after days of agonizing over it, a n began to form in her heart.


    When Freda descended the stairs, Karl red at her with barely concealed ill humor. “I thought you were on a hunger strike. nning to starve yourself to death, were you?”


    Freda’s face had grown noticeably thinner, making her look fragile, yet her eyes held a defiant spark, showing she had not truly repented.


    “I’ve had enough time to think,” Freda said, standing tall before Karl. “I’m done pursuing Theo.”


    Karl’s heart leaped with joy at her words, but he kept his face impassive. “And what else?”


    Freda continued, “I’ll apologize to Gavin. My selfishness nearly ruined thepetition and tarnished our family’s reputation.”


    Her mother’s eyes shimmered with emotion as she wiped away tears. “Oh, sweetie, you’ve finallye around.”


    Karl nodded in agreement. “That’s more like it. Was that man worth all this heartache? You’re my daughter, a catch in every sense. Men should be lining up to pursue you! Theo didn’t deserve you, thinking he could toy with your affections like that. The nerve of him!”


    Karl’s wife nudged him, her face marked by silent disapproval. Turning to Freda, she said, with a concerned look in her eyes, “Honey, you must be starving! I’ll have the cook whip up something delicious for you right away. You’ve lost so much weight, and it pains me to see it.”


    Freda didn’t refuse and took a seat at the dining table, waiting patiently for her meal.


    She had heard that Gavin would be visiting their home the next day to discuss the musicpetition with Karl. If all went as expected, Karl would arrange for her to apologize during that meeting.


    A flicker of resentment crossed Freda’s eyes as she pondered the situation. What was so special about this musicpetition? In her view, it was just a bunch of amateur musicians scrambling for the spotlight. Why should she have to apologize for this?


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