?<strong>Chapter 614:</strong>


    Upon hearing Theo’s deration, his friend was taken aback. Then, with a rueful smile, he said, “Buddy, you’ve got it bad.”


    Theo managed a small, wistful smile and replied, “You think I haven’t tried to give up? Elyse isn’t just on my mind. She’s in my heart, pulsing through my veins.”


    He paused briefly, then added, “I can’t stop thinking about her. I miss her all the time—when I eat, before I sleep. She’s be part of my daily routine. The only respite I get is when I’m buried in my work.”


    Theo’s friend was so surprised by Theo’s intensity that he could only grumble in response, “Enough already. You sound like a modern-day Casanova, always talking about love. It’s too much.”


    Theo sighed and said, “I wish I could be like you, not tied down, waking up with someone new each day. But that’s not me. I have someone who upies my thoughts.”


    This prompted his friend to lightly punch him in the chest and retort, “Now you’re making me out to be the bad guy to make yourself look good. I haven’t fooled around for a long time. Don’t spread rumors about me. We’ve all had our moments.”


    Theo looked at his friend, took a sip of his drink, and teased, “I heard your family’s setting you up on blind dates. Do you think any high-societydies want a guy with your history? If they dig a little, they’ll find a treasure trove of your escapades.”


    His friend clenched his teeth and said, “Mind your own business and stay out of mine. I don’t need your concern.”


    Meanwhile, Freda returned to her friend, who immediately asked, “What did you say to Theo?”


    Blushing slightly, Freda said, “We chatted briefly. Then I asked him for the first dance, and he said yes.”


    Her friend’s eyes lit up as she said, “That’s great, right? He must still care about you. Keep at it, and you’ll catch his eye again.”


    “Hope so. I’ll do my best,” Freda responded with a smile.


    Then, ncing at her watch, Freda prepared to ask Theo for that dance at the right time.


    Ten minutester, it was time to dance. Freda adjusted her dress and began searching for Theo.


    She noticed him standing still and approached him with a smile.


    Yet, just as Freda was a short distance from Theo, a girl with short hair emerged from the crowd and stood in Freda’s path.


    Before Freda could respond, she saw the girl positioning herself right in front of Theo.


    Before Freda could react, the girl confronted Theo, “You promised me the first dance. Let’s go.”


    Freda watched, stunned, as Theo tenderly touched the girl’s nose and said affectionately, “I haven’t forgotten. Let’s go dance.”


    Then, the girl with short hair linked arms with Theo and they headed to the dance floor, gracefully moving to the music.


    Theo’s friend, witnessing the scene, turned away awkwardly after seeing the look of heartbreak on Freda’s face.


    Freda was utterly dismayed to see Theo dancing with another woman. She was also puzzled. Hadn’t Theo promised her the first dance? Why was he now dancing with someone else?


    She wanted to confront Theo, to ask if there had been some misunderstanding, or if he was simply the type to say yes to any girl who asked him to dance.


    These troubling thoughts made Freda’s gaze turn icy and stern as she watched Theo.


    As she stepped forward to seek answers from Theo, she unexpectedly collided with someone.


    “Freda, what are you doing here?” Gavin eximed, surprised.


    .


    .


    .