?<strong>Chapter 873:</strong>


    Smiling, Elyse set her phone down and thought about heading back to the banquet hall—she still had room for a little more food. But just as she took her first step, a hand mped down on her shoulder. She shrieked in shock, and before she could turn around, another hand covered her mouth, yanking her backward with force.


    It was a man—a tall, imposing figure with a grip like iron. Realizing this, panic surged through Elyse, and she began to thrash desperately. She was too terrified to think straight, and the difference in their strength was staggering. Despite her frantic struggles, she soon grew weak and exhausted. The man easily overpowered her, dragging her into the stairwell and forcing her up the stairs.


    She had no idea how many floors they climbed. All she could do was let out soft, frightened whimpers. The man leaned in to her ear and whispered, “Keep it down, will ya? I’m already having a rough time—don’t make it worse.”


    g?lnσν???s?c?m, your destination for tales


    That voice—it was unmistakable. Jayden’s.


    Elyse spun around, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the unusual flush on Jayden’s face. His breathing wasbored as if he was battling to keep something at bay.


    The moment Jayden realized Elyse recognized him, the facade fell away. He let go of her, leaning heavily against the wall, still panting. “Did I scare you? Thought you’d met your end, didn’t you?”


    Despite whatever was happening to him, Jayden managed to chuckle. Elyse, furious and relieved, punched his arm. “How can you joke about that? Do you have any idea how terrified I was? I thought I was about to be killed!”


    “Does your hand hurt from hitting me?” Jayden, grinning, reached out to grab her hand, but Elyse swiftly pulled it away.


    Elyse stared at him warily, taking in his appearance. “What’s going on with you? You don’t look so good. Are you running a fever?”


    Jayden’s eyes locked onto hers, intense and unyielding. “Care to find out?” he murmured.


    Elyse hesitated, torn between caution and concern, but eventually took a step closer. “Did you not dress warmly enough? How did you end up getting sick like this?” As Elyse moved in, the soft scent that was distinctly hers wafted to Jayden, ensnaring his senses. It was a fragrance he was utterly captivated by.


    The closer she came, the stronger his yearning grew.


    Seeing his chance, Jayden swiftly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into him as if he could somehow fuse them into one. Startled by his sudden embrace, Elyse began pounding on his back, her voice rising in frustration. “Why are you holding me so tight? You’re burning up! Let me go!”


    Jayden felt the warmth and softness of Elyse’s body as he leaned in close, his lips grazing her ear. “I’ve been drugged,” he murmured, his voice husky with a mix of desperation and desire. “And I need you to cure me. That’s why I sought you out.”


    Elyse’s emotions swirled between embarrassment and fury. She tried to shove Jayden away, but his grip only tightened. The more she resisted, the closer he pulled her into his embrace. “You? You’ve got some nerve! Go to your girlfriend for that. I’m not her, so I’m under no obligation to help!” Elyse snapped, her anger ring.


    Jayden shook his head, his voice low and insistent. “I want you to do it. Besides, it was that crazy woman who drugged me. Can’t you see I need your help?”


    Elyse was bewildered by his words. “Why would she drug you? Isn’t she your girlfriend? You two shouldn’t need tricks like that.”


    .


    .


    .