?<strong>Chapter 1432:</strong>


    As they toured the new residence, Elyse discreetly checked the property’s value on her phone. A quick nce at the price made her quietly shut off the app, the figures far out of her financial reach.


    Shaun lounged in the garden chair, surveying the lush surroundings like a monarch admiring his domain. He leaned back with a satisfied sigh and then nced at Jayden. “I must say, you’ve outdone yourself with the arrangements. Quite impressive.”


    Jayden stood nearby, hands in his pockets, everposed. “Family doctor, maids, butler, nutritionist, and bodyguards are all en route. They’ll be stationed here around the clock to ensure your safety.”


    Shaun’s rxed expression tightened into a frown. “Round the clock? That sounds excessive. People might start thinking I’m under house arrest.”


    Jayden chuckled lightly. “Hardly. You’ll haveplete freedom, but the bodyguards will apany you for protection. It’s a precaution, not a prison.”


    His gaze flicked toward Elyse, who sat a few feet away, absorbed in her phone.


    “Elyse,e over here,” Jayden called, his tone warm yet firm. Startled, she quickly locked her phone screen and approached, her movements brisk. “What is it?”


    Jayden’s demeanor softened as he gestured to the untamed bushes at the garden’s edge. “Don’t wander off too far. The garden hasn’t been cleared yet. There might be snakes.”


    “Snakes?” Shaun blurted, leaping to his feet as if the ground beneath him had turned molten. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You brought me to a house with snakes?”


    Jayden raised a calming hand, suppressing a grin. “Rx. The gardener is on the way. By tonight, everything will be sorted. No snakes, I promise.”


    “And if a snake bites me, how exactly will you take responsibility?” Shaun grumbled, his tone a mix of sarcasm and genuine worry.


    Jayden responded with an easy smile. “If ites to that, I’ll take full responsibility. You have my word.”


    Elyse, noticing Shaun’s increasingly sour expression, coughed lightly and gave Jayden’s hand a discreet tug—a silent plea for him to ease up. She quickly pivoted the conversation. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Actually, we were thinking of going to the mall. Care to join us?”


    Shaun waved them off with a dismissive gesture. “No, I’ll stay here. Someone has to supervise the staff. It’s the only way I’ll feelfortable.”


    Jayden chuckled softly, taking Elyse’s hand. “Suit yourself. We’ll leave you to your kingdom, then.”


    With that, the two set off for the mall.


    Once inside, Elyse nced at Jayden, who was walking beside her with his usual calm demeanor. “You don’t have toe with me,” she said casually. “I just need to grab a few strings for my violin. Nothing exciting.”


    Jayden tilted his head slightly, a faint smile ying on his lips. “We’ll get those strings, but first, let’s pick up some bags. I overheard the women at work talking about thetest seasonal designs yesterday. I realized I haven’t bought you one in ages.”


    Elyse blinked, perplexed. “Jayden, I usually carry my violin case, not handbags.”


    “You should still have a few,” Jayden replied firmly. “We’re buying some today, no debate.”


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