?<strong>Chapter 1480:</strong>


    Elyse stiffened, her heart pounding. She didn’t dare look at Gavin’s face; Freda’s words had crossed the line, and she couldn’t think of a way to defuse the situation.


    It wasn’t that she didn’t want to help—Freda’sment had been downright brutal.


    Gavin raised a hand to his face, rubbing his jaw as if testing his own patience. “You don’t think I’m gay too, do you?” he asked, his tone measured but sharp enough to cut through the air.


    Elyse’s hands shot up defensively. “Of course not! I’ve never thought that. I was just… curious about what kind of girl you like, that’s all.”


    His smile rxed a little, though the edge in his eyes lingered. “At least you understand. Freda, on the other hand? She’s got no filter.”


    Elyse forced a few awkwardughs, her mind racing for something to say that wouldn’t make things worse.


    Across the room, Freda seemed utterly unbothered. After venting her frustrations, she threw out a bold promation. “Jayden! Let’s stay out all night and get totally wasted!”


    Jayden, who had been loungingzily on the sofa, gave her a t look. “You might be single, but I’m not. I’m sleeping with my wife tonight.”


    Freda didn’t miss a beat. She downed her whiskey in one go and mmed the ss down on the table, ring at him. “All you ever think about is your wife! Don’t you have any ambition? Be like me—go out and show everyone a little love!”


    Jayden’s gaze shifted toward the door, where a figure caught his eye. When he tilted his head, he spotted Gavin standing there. A mischievous grin spread across his face. “Oh yeah? And how exactly do you n to do that?”


    Freda,pletely unaware she was walking into a trap, dered proudly, “If a handsome man cries, I won’t hesitate to embrace him as afort. That’s just the kind of person I am!”


    Jayden’s grin widened, his tone dripping with amusement. “So, what about Gavin? You done with him now? I thought you said you loved him the most.”


    Freda scowled, mming her fist on the table. “That jerk doesn’t deserve my love! I’m going to find a boyfriend who treats me right, someone who won’t make me sad. I want to taste the sweetness of love for once!” Her voice was full of fury, but she seemed utterly convinced of her own righteousness.


    Gavin finally had enough. His arms crossed tightly over his chest, he stepped into the room with slow, deliberate strides. His voice was calm, but each word hit like a hammer. “Freda, do enlighten me—when exactly did I think lowly of you?”


    When Freda caught sight of Gavin, her steps faltered. Her expression turned hazy, as if she wasn’t entirely sure if he was real. Without even processing his words, she walked straight toward him. Then, right in front of everyone, Freda threw her arms around him, holding him as if he were thest person in the world.


    Gavin froze, every muscle in his body locking up as though he’d just stepped into a trap.


    Elyse gasped, her voice breaking through the stunned silence. “Freda, what are you doing?”


    Freda nuzzled her head against Gavin’s chest, her voice dripping with a mix of petnce and wounded pride. “Darling, you’re finally here. I’ve missed you so much.”


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