Chapter 1086:

Jayden trailed behind her, suggesting earnestly, “The bathroom might not be secure. I should accompany you to keep you safe.” As he made a move to follow her in, Elyse quickly slammed the door in his face. “Cut out the creepy act. I’m not sharing the bathroom with you.”

“I’ve assisted you before with bathing. Trust me, I’m quite adept,” Jayden claimed nonchalantly through the door. A rush of past intimacies flooded Elyse’s thoughts, painting her cheeks crimson with embarrassment and irritation.

“Enough of that talk!” she snapped, her annoyance palpable.

Jayden, understanding her discomfort, chose not to provoke her further. He knew pushing her might lead to irreparable rifts, a risk he wasn’t willing to take. He was patient, aware that eventually, Elyse wouldn’t be able to keep resisting him forever. Peyton had once advised him that the key to winning a woman over was a blend of boldness, discretion, and resilience. As long as Elyse remained unattached, Jayden believed he held an advantage.

Inside the bathroom, Elyse attempted to settle her nerves. She unpacked her toiletries and began to brush her teeth. Suddenly, an odd sound echoed through the room, resembling someone’s breath. The noise seemed to emanate from the shower area, where a 1.6-meter glass panel was fitted, presumably to allow guests to ensure they were spotless post-shower. Driven by curiosity, Elyse edged closer to investigate. Just then, a soft clicking noise issued from the panel.

Ten minutes passed, and suspicion began to gnaw at Jayden. He wondered why the water was still silent. He knocked on the bathroom door, his voice tinged with concern. “Are you in there? Why haven’t you started showering yet?” When silence was the only answer, a cold dread swept over him. He quickly turned the handle and swung the door open.

The room was starkly empty, with no sign of Elyse. Cursing his oversight in such a precarious place, Jayden checked his watch. Relief washed over him as he realized he might still be on time to avert disaster. He scrutinized the bathroom, convinced it concealed a secret passageway. Finding the switch was imperative. He searched meticulously, ending at the shower where a conspicuous tall mirror caught his eye.

Frustration mounting, and still without finding a switch, he grabbed a chair and began pounding on the mirror. The stubborn glass resisted the initial strikes. Persistent, Jayden kept swinging until cracks began to web across the surface. . . .