Chapter 1193:

“No! They’re still awake. They’re…” Amanda caught herself, abruptly stopping. Peyton wasn’t one to drop the matter. “What did you hear? Go on, tell me.” Amanda paused, torn over whether to disclose what she knew. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll have to assume you’re making things up,” Peyton said, his eyebrow still raised. “I heard Elyse moaning. She must’ve seduced Jayden!” Amanda blurted out in a rush of panic. “We’re in the midst of a crisis, and she’s busy trying to get him to sleep with her. She’s so shameless!” Peyton laughed, a laugh tinged with frustration. “Are you out of your mind? Why should it matter to you if Jayden and Elyse were together? You might throw yourself at him, but he has no interest in you—none whatsoever. It’s jealousy that’s driving you!” Amanda sneered. “Jealousy? What could possibly give you such a ludicrous notion? I need to discuss something urgent with Jayden.” “Something urgent?” Peyton’s eyebrow rose, his smirk growing more pronounced. “I’m intrigued. Do share.” “Classified information. It’s certainly not something I’d share with you,” Amanda replied, her eyes shining with conviction. Peyton scoffed. Amanda was just an ordinary mercenary. How could she possibly have access to anything of real secrecy? What a liar. “Look, I don’t care about your motives—whether you’re trying to destroy their relationship or something else—but you need to leave, right now!” Peyton’s tone was unwavering. Amanda was taken aback. Why was Peyton, effectively an outsider, interjecting himself into their personal matters? What benefit did he find in defending Elyse? Her anger rising, she countered, “And who are you to order me around? Move out of my way!” Despite Peyton’s effort to block her, Amanda banged on Jayden’s door. “Jayden, open up! We need to talk, immediately!” Peyton frowned, irritation evident on his face. He stepped up to bar her path. “Have you completely lost your senses? Is it so unbearable for you to see Jayden and Elyse happy?” He hoped the private moment between Elyse and Jayden would dissolve their misunderstandings. He knew they desperately needed this chance to communicate openly. This moment was crucial. He was determined not to let Amanda disrupt it. Undeterred, Amanda kept pounding until the door finally opened. Jayden stood in the doorway, his chest bare, his expression one of clear annoyance. Peyton’s gaze drifted to the vivid marks of passion—scratches and bite marks—on Jayden’s skin, unmistakably Elyse’s work. “Holy moly, Jayden,” Peyton exclaimed. “Look at Elyse’s work.” “Screw off, Peyton,” Jayden snapped back, his disdain palpable. He then looked at Amanda, who stood motionless, her face etched with disbelief. Her eyes quickly scanned the visible signs of Elyse’s fervor on Jayden’s flesh. In her mind, she vividly reimagined the intense moments between Elyse and Jayden, a sharp sting of envy gripping her heart. Why Elyse? Why not her? Tears sprang to Amanda’s eyes as she stammered, “Why would you do this to me?” Her voice wavered with emotion. “You know my feelings for you, how I’ve tried to get closer to you. Why are you with her?” . . .