?<strong>Chapter 727:</strong>


    Elyse’s nerves tightened. Edward’s demeanor was like a caged animal, ready tosh out if provoked. Yet, with no chocte cake in sight at the moment, he seemed rtively calm, and Elyse could momentarily rx.


    They strolled through the banquet, selecting their favorite dishes. Elyse, who had been ravenous before, momentarily forgot her hunger, her spirits lifted by the earlier chaos. With food finally in her stomach, she now wanted to indulge fully.


    Elyse and Edward enjoyed a surprisingly pleasant rapport, their conversation about music creating an unusual yet harmonious connection. That was, until Edward’s gaze fell upon thest piece of cheese shrimp. With swift, decisive movements, Edward snatched it before Aarya could reach it, cing it triumphantly on his te.


    Aarya, seeing her favorite dish taken, pouted with displeasure. “Sir, don’t you know it’s firste, first served?”


    Edward raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. “No, I only know that the one who grabs it first ims it. It should be obvious.”


    Aarya’s anger was palpable, her fury directed squarely at Edward’s dismissive attitude. Elyse, observing the unfolding drama, stood in stunned silence. Her mind raced as she recalled Edward’s earlier warning about Aarya’s powerful and infamous family.


    Wasn’t he the one who advised her to keep her distance? So why was he now so eager to provoke Aarya? Did he not fear the potential consequences of challenging her?


    Feeling a pang of sympathy for Edward, Elyse stepped forward, ready to intervene and defuse the escting tension. Just then, Jayden made his way over.


    “What happened?” Jayden asked gently. “Why are you upset again?”


    Aarya’s lower lip trembled as she pointed usingly at the cheese shrimp on Edward’s te. “I had it first, but he took it,” sheined, clearly aggrieved.


    Edward’s irritation was evident. Knowing that Jayden was Elyse’s ex-husband, he couldn’t hide his displeasure at seeing Jaydene to Aarya’s defense. With a defiant lift of his eyebrow, Edward dered, “I got it first. It’s mine.”


    Jayden frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on Edward as he fell into thought.


    Aarya didn’t particrly care for the cheese shrimp; given her family’s wealth, she had tasted far finer delicacies. However, Edward’s attitude irked her. She feltpelled to im the shrimp as her own.


    Gritting her teeth, she dered, “Give it to me, or you’ll regret it.”


    Jayden restrained the incensed Aarya, shaking his head at her to signal that he would handle the situation.


    Seeing Jayden’s gesture, Aarya’s expression softened slightly. She stepped aside, waiting for Jayden to retrieve the cheese shrimp for her.


    Jayden advanced, positioning himself in front of Edward and pulled out his phone. “Name your price. How much for the cheese shrimp you’re holding?”


    Edward, taken aback by Jayden’s straightforward approach, responded incredulously, “Are you serious? You want to buy this shrimp right out of my hand?”


    Jayden nodded firmly. “Exactly. Name your price.”


    Standing beside them, Elyse couldn’t contain her frustration any longer. She frowned and said disapprovingly, “Have you lost your mind? You tried to trade a watch for a piece of cake, and now you want to buy the shrimp at any price? Jayden, what are you trying to achieve?”


    Jayden looked at Elyse. After a brief pause, he replied, “Not much. I’m just using money to make my girlfriend happy.”


    Elyse felt a sharp pang in her heart. Her breathing quickened, and she forced out her words. “If you want to use money to make your girlfriend happy, do it elsewhere. Why unt your wealth at someone else’s banquet?”


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