?<strong>Chapter 651:</strong>


    Jayden stood up, retrieved his phone, and gave Tobin some instructions before he and Elyse headed to find Shaun.


    Upon entering Shaun’s vi, Elyse immediately sensed a heavy atmosphere. She approached the butler, who looked quite somber, and inquired, “Where is Shaun? I need to see him.”


    The butler nced towards the staircase leading to the second floor and hesitated before responding, “He might not be avable right now.”


    Elyse quickly stepped closer to the butler and pressed, “He answered my call earlier. Why can’t I see him now? Does he not want to meet me?”


    The butler shook his head, repeatedly opening his mouth to speak but stopping himself each time, clearly hesitant. This made Elyse even more worried. She stamped her foot and demanded, “What happened to him? Tell me quickly.”


    Realizing he couldn’t avoid the issue, the butler exhaled deeply and said, “I’ll take you to him.”


    Elyse looked at Jayden, and they followed the butler to the second floor. The butler knocked on the door of a room but received no answer. He then cautiously opened the door.


    As the door swung open, a pungent smell of alcohol wafted out, causing Elyse to reel back and cover her nose, eximing, “It reeks.”


    The butler awkwardly waved his hand in an attempt to clear the air and exined, “I apologize. He made it clear that we can’t enter or disturb him without his permission.”


    Peering into the room, Elyse saw only darkness; the room waspletely unlit. The light from the hallway failed to illuminate the interior, and she couldn’t make out Shaun’s figure.


    She half-joked, half-asked, “What is Shaun doing in there? Drinking?”


    The butler said helplessly, “This isn’t his room. It’s Tracy’s room. Since the ident, he has been secluding himself in here, refusing to leave.”


    Elyse’s brow creased, her thoughts deepening. The butler cast a worried nce toward the inner room and continued, “It’s been nearly half a month. He has been holed up in Tracy’s room, lost in alcohol. We’ve tried to get him out, but he refuses.”


    Upon hearing this, Elyse’s frustration grew. She responded coolly, “Alright, I’ll take care of this. You can go now.”


    The butler hesitated. “Well, perhaps I should stay and assist you.”


    “There’s no need. Leave. I’ll call you if necessary,” Elyse replied sharply, dismissing him.


    After a brief pause, the butler decided to trust Elyse, recalling that she was a close friend of Tracy’s. He hoped Elyse could coax Shaun out of his despair. The butler then left and headed downstairs.


    Without further hesitation, Elyse stepped into the room. She reached for the light switches on the wall and flipped them on without a second thought.


    The room was instantly illuminated, revealing Shaun’s whereabouts. Shaun was curled up on the bed, the same one Tracy had used. Hey there clutching her pillow, deeply asleep.


    As Elyse approached the bed, she identally kicked an empty wine bottle. Looking down, she saw the floor strewn with empty bottles. The butler’s description of Shaun drowning in alcohol was evidently urate.


    Elyse cleared the bottles away and approached the bedside. She opened the window to let in fresh air and clear the stale alcohol fumes.


    Jayden came over, looked at Shaun’s condition, and remarked sarcastically, “He’spletely broken down.”


    Elyse observed Shaun closely and agreed. His beard was unkempt, hisplexion pallid, and dark circles marred his eyes. If not for his snoring, she might have thought he was lifeless.


    She was about to rouse Shaun herself but hesitated upon seeing dried stains of unknown substances on his clothing. She shut her eyes and instructed, “Jayden, wake him up.”


    Though Jayden was repulsed by Shaun’s state, he followed hermand. Jayden nudged Shaun roughly with his foot, knocking him off the bed.


    Shaun woke with a start, groaning in pain. Disoriented from excessive drinking, he was unable to discern the time. He covered his face and propped himself up, clinging to the bed for support.


    Shaun looked worried. Recognizing the visitor, he lowered his head and said listlessly, “Why are you here? I don’t want you here. Leave.”


    Jayden retorted, “Why are we here? To mock you, obviously. Seeing you like this is somehow satisfying.”


    “Fuck off. I despise you the most,” Shaun responded with a hollowugh. Without even looking up, he gestured towards the door, signaling them to depart.


    Elyse, witnessing Shaun’s pitiful disy, grew impatient. “Who are you performing this sad act for? None of us pity you. The one who truly cared about you is already gone.”


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