?<strong>Chapter 557:</strong>


    Jayden’s gaze settled on Lanny, his expression impassive, his silence a veil masking his thoughts.


    Lanny struggled to maintain a smile on his face. Despite Jayden’s silence, his presence exuded authority, sending shivers down Lanny’s spine. It wouldn’t have surprised him if Jayden, being the crazy guy he was, threatened his life.


    “Leave,” Jaydenmanded with a dismissive wave, and the bodyguards surrounding Glenda withdrew.


    Caught in a daze of confusion, Glenda remained rooted in ce. Was this her freedom?


    Lanny echoed her astonishment, his voice trembling. “Are you… letting us go?”


    Jayden’s eyebrow lifted slightly. “Unless you prefer to stay.”


    “Of course not! Thank you for your mercy!” Lanny eximed, reaching out to grasp Glenda’s hand, and together they left hurriedly.


    As they stepped into the yard, a cold wind swept through, causing Glenda, who was dressed thinly, to shiver involuntarily.


    The sound of a lighter pierced the quiet yard, its small noise amplified by the stillness. Glenda’s attention was drawn to the sound, her eyes catching a tiny red spark flickering in the air.


    Someone was smoking in the yard, their face hidden by swirling smoke.


    A gust of cold wind briefly dispersed the smoke, and Glenda’s eyes narrowed, fixing on a face that was somewhat familiar.


    Morgan, sensing Glenda’s presence,zily exhaled a cloud of smoke, her lips curling into a smirk. “Well, well, well, Glenda,” she drawled, her voice tinged with taunting amusement. “Fancy seeing you again.”


    “It’s… it’s you! You’re back!” Glenda eximed, her voice trembling with shock as she pointed a finger at Morgan. Her emotions were all over the ce.


    Lanny’s eyes burned with hatred as he looked at Morgan. He swore to himself that he would find a way to deal with this woman sooner orter.


    Morgan’s mood seemed to brighten. “Disappointed to see me, Glenda? Haven’t you been longing for my return? Well, your wish hase true. I’m here to grant it.”


    Glenda’s voice rose in anger. “You’re like a bad penny! Why couldn’t you have just died out there? Whye back now?”


    Lanny interrupted sharply, “Don’t waste your breath on her. Let’s go!” He gripped Glenda’s wrist and quickly led her away.


    Morgan looked on as Lanny and Glenda hurried away, their departing figures radiating a sense of disarray. A wicked smile danced on her lips. She flicked away her half-smoked cigarette, crushing it under her ck leather boot and brushing off any lingering smoke before casually strolling back into the living room.


    Grinning with satisfaction, Morgan said, “The looks on Lanny’s and Glenda’s faces were absolutely priceless. I can’t wait to see what they do next.”


    Elyse blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion. “Do you have something nned for them?”


    Morgan’s smile turned steely. “Oh, Elyse dear, I’veid a trap for them. They won’t escape me,” she spoke with chilling resolve, her voice resonating like an omen of doom, her scythe poised to reap Lanny and Glenda’s souls.


    She was consumed with her thirst for vengeance, and her words left Elyse wisely opting for silence, prepared to watch the drama unfold.


    Jayden’s gaze drifted to the window as he remarked thoughtfully, “The past few days have been unusually cold. We might see snowfall before the week is out.”


    Elyse followed his gaze, her eyes resting on the wintryndscape stretching out beyond. “When the first snow falls, winter will truly settle in.”


    Driscoll approached, his voice tinged with concern. “The guards at the gates reported that Ms. Tracy Bernard arrived at our doorstep in nothing but a thin blouse and bare feet. They’ve brought her inside to warm her up.”


    Elyse’s eyes widened in shock, her voiceced with rm, “What? Where is she?”


    “Elyse, I’m here…”


    Tracy’s voice floated into the room as a maid assisted her inside. She shuffled forward, wrapped in a coat given by the maid. Her face bore the telltale signs of exhaustion. Bruises marred her knees, and there were cuts and scrapes all over her legs.


    Jayden’s keen gaze detected the evidence of violence on Tracy’s body. In aposed voice, he instructed, “Driscoll, call a doctor, preferably a female. Take Tracy upstairs to rest and arrange for food.”


    Acknowledging the sensitivity of the situation, Jayden excused himself. “I’ll be in the study if you need me, Elyse.”


    “Thank you,” Elyse replied, her eyes brimming with love and gratitude for the man in front of her.


    Jayden gently stroked Elyse’s head before turning and heading into the study.


    Driscoll departed for the kitchen, leaving the maid to attend to Tracy’s needs.


    Tracy leaned into the maid’s support, her gaze meeting Elyse’s. A faint smile touched her lips. “I’ve be a burden to you guys again.”


    Elyse shook her head gently, steadying Tracy by the waist, her voice thick with emotion, “No, Tracy. That’s not true at all. I’m so grateful you’re here.”


    Tracy managed a faint smile. “Thatforts me. In this condition, I couldn’t face my parents. They wouldn’t be able to bear the shock.”


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