?<strong>Chapter 629:</strong>


    Brook took a sip of his coffee, grimacing at the bitterness that lingered even after adding three sugar packets.


    Breaking the tense silence, he ventured, “How is your health? Have you fully recovered?”


    Elyse’s response was sharp, “Are you asking if I can still have children?”


    Brook shook his head earnestly. “I’m not that cruel.”


    A faint sneer flickered across Elyse’s face, but she remained silent.


    Undeterred by her cold demeanor, Brook reminisced, “You’ve changed so much. You used to be so gentle and kind to everyone.”


    Elyse listened, remembering her old self—more amodating, softer. But that gentleness hadn’t shielded her from her deepest loss; she couldn’t even protect her own child.


    “People change based on their experiences, don’t they?” Elyse remarked, her voice tinged with sadness.


    Brook paused, then nodded slowly. “Yes, they do. To not change is to stagnate, almost like bing a machine.”


    As they conversed, Eva, buzzing with excitement, led Jayden and Mia toward them.


    “That’s right,” Eva chirped, “I brought Mr. Owen to see Mrs. Owen.”


    Mia rolled her eyes, unimpressed by Eva’s gossip. To her, a man’s visit was hardly scandalous.


    Elyse, caught off guard by Eva’s interruption, addressed Jayden. “Would you like to join us for a chat?”


    Jayden’s gaze on Brook was icy. After a tense moment, he asked bluntly, “Are you here looking for trouble?”


    Brook responded with a casual shrug. “I’m here on behalf of Grandpa. We need to discuss something.”


    Jayden’s voice was cool and detached. “Is there really anything left to discuss between me and Enzo?”


    Standing, Brook tried to defuse the tension. “I’m merely the messenger. Don’t shoot me. I’ll say what I came to say, and then you can do as you wish.”


    As Brook motioned toward the elevator, he suggested, “Let’s talk in your office.”


    Jayden’s expression darkened, his reluctance clear. Elyse interjected, “It’s worth listening. You might learn something about Enzo’s ns. It’s better than being in the dark.”


    Taking a deep breath, Jayden agreed, “Alright, I’ll hear him out.”


    With a solemn expression, Jayden followed Brook to the elevator.


    As they left, Elyse checked her phone, then casually tossed it onto the table, addressing Eva with a wry smile. “Things didn’t unfold as you’d hoped, did they, Miss Prescott?”


    Caught off guard, Eva’s face tensed, and she nced helplessly at Mia. Mia, feigning ignorance, kept her head down, avoiding Eva’s desperate look.


    Eva quickly stammered a justification, “I was just concerned for you, Mrs. Owen. That man didn’t seem trustworthy, so I thought it best to alert Mr. Owen.”


    Elyse raised an eyebrow. “Should I be thanking you then?”


    “No, that’s not necessary,” Eva replied awkwardly.


    Elyse tapped her fingers on the table twice, each tap resonating like a hammer pounding on Eva’s heart.


    Feeling overwhelmed, Eva realized the full extent of Elyse’s imposing presence, so formidable that she found herself unable to meet Elyse’s gaze.


    After a tense pause, Elyse finally addressed Mia. “You need to better manage your team. I’m not sure how Jayden will react.”


    “I understand, Mrs. Owen,” Mia responded, her anxiety palpable. Elyse’s demeanor reminded her of Jayden’s former stringent and authoritative presence.


    In Mia’s view, Jayden had softened significantly over time, bing more lenient and approachable. Yet now, it seemed Elyse embodied the stern qualities Jayden used to disy.


    With nothing more to say, Elyse stood up, deciding to retire to Jayden’s office for a rest.


    Once Elyse had departed, Mia exhaled deeply and whispered to herself, “Has Mr. Owen be more temperate because he’s influenced by his wife’s strict nature?”


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