?<strong>Chapter 1479:</strong>


    Elyse’s jaw dropped, her frustration clear. “He actually went along with that?”


    Driscoll let out a chuckle and nodded, clearly amused.


    Gavin ran a hand over his face, exhaling loudly. “Heartbroken? When did she even have a rtionship to be heartbroken over? She’s so over the top sometimes.”


    Elyse tilted her head, watching him closely for a moment. “You know, you seem… more like a human whenever Freda’s involved.”


    Gavin raised an eyebrow, his tone light but curious. “Is that supposed to be apliment or an insult?”


    “It’s a good thing,” Elyse replied, her expression earnest. “If you acted like you were unattainable, it would feel…”


    Gavinughed softly. “Stuffy, right?”


    Elyse frowned and shook her head. “I didn’t say that. Don’t twist my words into something negative.”


    “Look at you, getting all worked up.” Gavin grinned as he gently tapped her forehead with his finger. Then his expression softened, and he sighed. “I’ve spent so long trying to stay neutral and serious. Maybe I doe off as too serious sometimes, but it’s not intentional. And here I thought all these years of spoiling you would’ve earned me a bit of credit.”


    Elyse giggled, her cheeks flushing as she quickly stepped behind him, trying to hide her embarrassment.


    “Where’s the basement?” Gavin asked, his voice steady again. “Show me the way.”


    Elyse’s eyes widened with a mix of excitement and surprise. “Wait, you’re actually going to check on Freda?”


    “Yeah,” Gavin said with a slight shrug. “Just to see what’s up with our so-called heartbroken damsel.”


    “I know where it is! Follow me!” Elyse chirped, her voice bright as she eagerly led the way.


    As they descended the stairs, Freda’s voice grew louder, her dramatic wails echoing through the space.


    “I was so good to him!” Freda sobbed, her words punctuated by hups. “I chased him all the way back here, and he doesn’t even care! What am I, invisible? Does he really think so lowly of me?” Her voice rose, dripping with indignation. “I was once with Theo—yes, I liked his looks and money. But that wasn’t love! I was just caught up in his value! Why couldn’t Gavin just forget that?”


    Freda’s rant continued, her tone switching between despair and outrage. “I went all out today! I got dressed to kill—showed a little leg, added some cleavage, spent forever on my makeup—and what did he do? Nothing! He doesn’t even nce my way! The man just stares at his stupid te! Honestly, Gavin must be a fool!”


    Elyse turned her head cautiously, catching sight of Gavin’s expression. He was smiling, but there was an undeniable chill beneath it, like frostcing the edges of his grin.


    She let out a nervousugh, trying to ease the tension. “Gavin, Freda’s had a little too much liquor. Don’t take her words too seriously.”


    Barely had Elyse finished speaking when Freda,pletely oblivious,unched into another tirade. “Do you think Gavin’s gay? I mean, he’s always alone, ying the violin. I never saw him around a woman.”


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