?<strong>Chapter 1486:</strong>


    “I’m fine,” Elyse replied.


    “Well, I’ve been thinking,” Pearce continued, his words slightly slurred but earnest, “I should introduce you to my friends. They’re good people, well-connected. It’d be good for you to expand yourwork. If I’m not always around, they can have your back.”


    There was a pause before Elyse responded, her voice soft but steady, “Okay… I get it.”


    Pearce was just about to end the call when Victor’s voice cut in, sharp and unexpected. “Why didn’t you pick up when I called earlier?” The entire room froze, turning to Victor with wide-eyed disbelief. Pearce stared at him, his expression a mix of shock and betrayal.


    “It wasn’t a good time,” Elyse said, her tone careful. “I didn’t mean to ignore you.”


    Victor’s tense posture rxed, though his expression remained guarded.


    “Why were you calling me, Victor?” Elyse asked.


    Victor cleared his throat, buying time. “Just like what Pearce said.”


    “Oh, I see.” Elyse’s voice held a trace of understanding. “Pearce, text the details of the meeting then. I’m free all week.”


    “Great!” Pearce said, still rattled. “I’ll book a ce and send you the details.”


    The call ended, and Pearce turned to Victor, his face a storm of suspicion. “That whole bit about introducing her to everyone—that was off the cuff, wasn’t it? Spill it. What were you really calling her about?”


    Victor smirked, arching a brow. “Why don’t you take a wild guess?”


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    “Guess my ass, Victor!” Pearce snapped, his frustration boiling over. “You better not be getting any bright ideas about her.” He lunged toward Victor, but Victor sidestepped him with ease, his smirk never wavering.


    Victor chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Oh,e on. You know me better than that, don’t you?”


    Pearce rolled his eyes, his tone tinged with warning. “Listen, don’t even think about it. Elyse isn’t some starry-eyed young woman you can charm your way past. She’s sharp and doesn’t fall for games.”


    Victor pressed a hand to his chest, feigning offense with dramatic ir. “Harsh, man. I’d never try to pull a fast one on Elyse. I actually care about her, believe it or not. You just don’t get me.” He took a leisurely sip of his drink, letting the moment hang in the air.


    Pearce, unwilling to beat a dead horse, let the conversation fizzle out. Meanwhile, Elyse ended her call and turned to Jayden with a sheepish grin.


    Jayden pushed himself off the floor, his arousal still unmistakable, an undeniable presence between them. “You’ve got guts now, huh?” he said. “Kicking me off like that.”


    Elyse’s fingers brushed her cheek as she shuffled back against the sofa cushions. “It wasn’t on purpose,” she murmured, her tone soft and defensive. “I just… wanted to answer Pearce’s call, and you wouldn’t let me.”


    Jayden clenched his jaw, his frustration spilling over. “We were in the middle of sex! Couldn’t you just focus on us for once? You just had to take Pearce’s call, didn’t you? And for what? So he could try setting you up with some other guy? Unbelievable! Both of you!”


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