?<strong>Chapter 772:</strong>


    Her heart skipped a beat, but Elyse forced herself to stayposed as she epted his handshake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hudson. You look much younger than I expected.”


    Charlie chuckled, though hisughtercked genuine warmth. “I’m hardly young, but I appreciate thepliment.”


    Elyse’s instincts screamed at her to be cautious. If she stepped into Charlie’s car, she had the unnerving sense that she might be stepping into something far more sinister, something she might never escape.


    Elyse released Charlie’s hand and took a step back, her voice steady but cautious. “My friend ising to pick me up soon. If you have something else to attend to, please don’t wait on my ount.”


    Charlie’s smile remained, but a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes. “No need to be so distant. It’s not every day we get to meet like this. We should take the opportunity to have a nice chat.”


    Elyse shook her head politely. “I’d rather not. I have apetition to prepare for, and I don’t have much free time.”


    Charlie’s smile never wavered as he slowly reached into his coat and pulled out a pistol, casually pointing it at the window. His tone remained friendly, but there was an unmistakable edge of menace. “Won’t you even spare me the time for a meal, youngdy?”


    The sight of the gun made Elyse’s heart pound, and she froze, caught between fear and the need to stayposed. Her mind raced as she tried to assess the situation, every instinct warning her of the danger she was in.


    Still smiling, Charlie continued, “Rx, it’s just a meal. I have no ill intentions.”


    Elyse’s thoughts spun, but she knew better than to trust his words.


    Drawing a deep breath, she forced herself to stay calm and said, “I’ll agree to the meal, but I need to let my friend know first. He’ll be worried if he can’t find me.”


    There was a brief silence as Charlie studied her, and then he gave a slight nod. “Call him, but make it quick. We wouldn’t want the food to get cold.”


    Feigningposure, Elyse dialed Gavin’s number and quickly exined the situation, all while keeping her voice as neutral as possible. She then slipped her phone back into her purse and reluctantly got into Charlie’s car.


    Once inside, Elyse made sure to sit as far from Charlie as the car allowed, her body tense and alert.


    The atmosphere was thick with tension, but Charlie seemedpletely unbothered, calmly sipping whiskey from a ss.


    As they left the bustling city and ventured into the quiet suburbs, Elyse’s eyes widened at the sight of a grand, imposing estate that loomed ahead. The estate’s gates were heavily guarded, with infrared cameras watching every move. The deeper they drove into the estate, the heavier her heart grew.


    When the car finally came to a stop, Elyse stepped out slowly, her pulse quickening as she approached thevish living room. Her heart nearly stopped when she saw Jayden sitting on the sofa, casually sipping tea.


    For a brief moment, Jayden froze, his eyes meeting hers. But in an instant, he masked his surprise, setting his teacup down with a nonchnt clink. Elyse quickly averted her gaze, her heart sinking with a sense of dread.


    Charlie, having shed his heavy coat, strode over. Noticing the tension between Elyse and Jayden, he quipped, “What is this? You two used to be married. Why the awkwardness now?”


    Elyse’s mind raced, searching for a response, but Jayden cut in with cold detachment. “Because I no longer love her. I don’t want to see her. Now, I’m in love with someone else, and seeing her makes me sick.”


    His words were delivered with such indifference, as if he werementing on something as trivial as the weather. But the atmosphere was anything but light; it was oppressive, stifling.


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