?<strong>Chapter 916:</strong>


    Then Edward hesitated and said, dissatisfied, “Now that the Hudson family issue is settled, you should release Elyse. Remember our wager. You’re not nning on reneging on our deal, are you?”


    Jayden shook his head. “I’m not one to break deals. While you might think the Hudson family matter is done and Elyse is safe, I see it differently. The issue isn’t resolved to my satisfaction, and Elyse isn’t safe yet. So, I can’t release her.”


    Edward grew frustrated. “Elyse is her own person. You can’t keep her confined. Remember, she’s a living, breathing individual.”


    “I haven’t forgotten. Even if I wanted to confine her, I wouldn’t.” Jayden knew better than to imprison Elyse again. If he desired for her to remain close, he needed to be more subtle about it.


    Watching Jayden deep in thought, Edward scoffed. “You don’t really think this ends with you and Elyse living happily ever after, do you?”


    Jayden replied, “I know you’ve always had your eye on my girl, but sorry, Elyse is mine alone.”


    Edward smirked. “Oh? Then let’s wait and see.”


    The following morning, in a deserted town, Brook got wind of the news and arrived to look for Charlie’s remains, needing to verify if he was really gone. Brook and his crewbed through the vicinity and discovered Charlie’s body near a fountain at the center of town. Beside himy a severed head, which belonged to his daughter, Aarya.


    After giving it a brief look, Brook turned away in revulsion and dialed Enzo’s number.


    Enzo hadn’t heard from Charlie the day before and felt deeply ufortable when he saw Brook’s call, suspecting something had gone awry.


    Sure enough, when he picked up the call, he was met with troubling news. Brook’s report was blunt. Without beating around the bush, he said, “Charlie is dead, along with most of his men. Apparently, the operation took ce yesterday. The remaining men either sought refuge with other factions or fled the area entirely.”


    He paused for a moment, then added firmly, “The notorious Hudson family no longer exists.”


    Enzo listened in silence, eventually letting out a long sigh. “I underestimated this. I shouldn’t have sent just Charlie. He’s past his prime… He simply isn’t as sharp as Jayden.”


    Brook withheld any opinion, waiting quietly for Enzo to decide on the next step.


    “Well, where is Elyse? Is she with you?” Enzo asked, turning his thoughts toward Elyse.


    Brook replied honestly, “Rory Griffin took her yesterday, and I’ve heard nothing since. I don’t know if she’s still alive.”


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