Chapter 179:

Tears welled in Judy's eyes as she pleaded with Kieran, her voice trembling. "Kieran, can't you just wait? I'll see Jayden soon and tell him how I feel. He'll understand my efforts, I know he will."

Kieran's gaze held a mix of emotions as he looked at Judy, a knot forming in his stomach. He hadn't realized how deeply Judy's feelings for Jayden ran, but he couldn't condone them.

Taking a firmer hold of her, Kieran implored, "Judy, remember you're a Foster. You have responsibilities. Dad is trying to find the right match for you. Come back with me."

With a determined tug, Kieran pulled her from the room. Despite her best efforts to break free, Judy was powerless against his insistence. The realization that her hopes were slipping away brought a rush of emotion. Her eyes reddened as she choked out, "Kieran, why are you doing this? Can't you see I just want to be with the man I love?"

A flicker of compassion crossed Kieran's face. However, he said, "Don't be stubborn, Judy. We have duties as Fosters." He was determined to protect her and ensure her happiness, as much as possible.

Judy couldn't fathom Kieran's concerns. She bristled against his actions, but his resolve was unyielding, leaving her powerless.

Meanwhile, Driscoll gripped the landline, his expression tense as he listened to the caller. With a heavy sigh, he hung up and reported, "Kieran has taken Judy away. She left in tears."

"Tears? Does she like being a maid?" Elyse's surprise was palpable.

Jayden mirrored her surprise.

Driscoll pondered before speaking. "Word is, the housekeeper promised her a return here if she worked diligently. Judy believed it."

Jayden nodded thoughtfully. "That was a smart move."

Elyse frowned, mulling over the situation. Her gaze sharpened as she fixed Jayden with an accusing look. "It means she loves you so much she's willing to work as a maid for you."

Jealousy hung heavy in the air.

Sensing Elyse's mood, Driscoll remained silent.

Jayden, however, was oblivious. He hadn't expected Elyse to be jealous of Judy; he'd believed he'd reassured her. He couldn't have been more wrong. Her jealousy remained.

"That's true. She might love me, but it's merely surface-level. I still haven't deciphered the Foster family's intentions. I'll need to investigate further," Jayden declared solemnly, unaware of Elyse's growing anger.

"You want to pursue this further?" Elyse asked through gritted teeth.

Driscoll closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the situation. What was his master thinking? Why hadn't he learned not to mention another woman in front of his wife?

As Elyse's fury mounted, realization dawned on Jayden. He asked, "Are you jealous?"

"I'm not," Elyse retorted, crossing her arms and turning away, refusing to meet his gaze.

Jayden frowned. Hadn't they resolved this? Why was she jealous again?

At that moment, Bryce returned from work, breaking the tension. "I'm home! Let's eat. I'm absolutely famished!" he exclaimed, oblivious to the sour expressions on Jayden's and Elyse's faces.

He settled onto the sofa and ordered, "Jayden, I need someone to accompany me tonight. Whoever's up for it will sleep on the floor."

Jayden scoffed. "Are you really so afraid to sleep alone?"

Bryce fired back, "Your place is haunted. What did you do to get it haunted? Moreover, I'm the only one suffering from it."

Jayden replied nonchalantly, "No one is staying with you tonight. You're sleeping alone."

"Don't push me too far, Jayden," Bryce slammed his hand on the table, his humiliation evident.

"No one's pushing you. We're just keeping your little accident last night a secret," Jayden teased.

Bryce's embarrassment over last night's incident, where he'd wet his pants in front of everyone, struck a raw nerve. It had become the most shameful moment of his life.

...