?<strong>Chapter 950:</strong>


    Hyde nodded in agreement, his mind swirling with thoughts of what to do next. In stark contrast, Mabel’s mood had soured. The task of fetching Elyse felt like an imposition, almost as if she were being asked to prostrate herself before her. The very idea of sitting down for coffee with Elyse seemed absurd.


    She wandered the mall aimlessly, clinging to a faint hope of luck. Mabel had no idea what had brought Elyse to the mall, so her search was haphazard, driven by the slim chance of a fortuitous encounter. Internally, she hoped she would not run into Elyse, nning to return to Hyde after half an hour with news of her unsessful attempt.


    Surprisingly, she did bump into Elyse. With a frown creasing her forehead, Mabel blocked Elyse’s path. Elyse, clutching a bag of snacks and pulling Geraldine along, halted and asked with a hint of wariness, “What do you want?”


    Elevating her chin with a blend of defiance and resolve, Mabel responded, “Come with me. I’ll buy you a coffee.”


    Elyse paused briefly, suspecting she had misunderstood. Mabel had indeed suggested coffee. Momentarily perplexed, Elyse quickly regained herposure, suspecting Mabel was plotting something deceitful. She responded with a dismissive snort, “Do you really think I want your coffee? Thanks, but no thanks. Please leave.”


    Ignoring Mabel, Elyse grabbed Geraldine’s arm and started to walk past her. Mabel, who had no real interest in having coffee with Elyse but was driven by thoughts of Hyde, swallowed her pride to intercept her. “Stop! You can’t just leave.” Mabel stepped in front of Elyse, blocking her way.


    Elyse, puzzled, confronted Mabel. “What do you want? We should stay out of each other’s business. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”


    Mabel, clenching her teeth in frustration, retorted, “You think I enjoy this? I wouldn’t bother if my boyfriend didn’t want to meet you.”


    Elyse, taken aback, replied, “What does your rtionship have to do with me? Don’t expect any favors from me.”


    Mabel red at her sharply and pleaded, “Please, just meet him once. That’s all I’m asking.”


    Surprise registered on Elyse’s face. Mabel, long considering her an arch-enemy, was now making a plea for the sake of a man? Conflicted emotions surfaced as Elyse observed Mabel’s dejected expression and inquired, “Is he really that important to you? You never seemed so desperate when you chased after Theo.”


    “Hyde is nothing like Theo. Don’t insult my boyfriend,” Mabel snapped back, visibly upset.


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