Chapter 290:

In the evening, a gray Bentley slowly pulled into the hospital parking garage. Pearce stepped out, carrying a basket of fruit, and went directly to the inpatient department. Standing at the ward entrance, he peered through the partially open door and saw Elyse asleep. He gently pushed the door open, placed the fruit basket on the bedside table, and noticed the worry lines on her forehead.

Earlier that day, Pearce had felt a sudden pang of heartache, the cause of which he didn't understand. It wasn't until he read negative online comments about Elyse that he realized she had been hurt. Concerned for her safety, he abandoned his work and took the earliest flight to be by her side. Even asleep, her face was pale and creased with a frown. Pearce tenderly stroked her brow, as if trying to ease her troubles.

"Rest peacefully," he whispered gently, "Don't dwell on worries while you sleep." His reassurance gradually calmed her. After Elyse regained her composure, Pearce lingered a moment, gazing at her before leaving.

Later, Jayden returned to the ward after a phone call and noticed the fruit basket on the bedside table. Curious about its origin, he wondered who had sent it as Elyse stirred. Seated in his wheelchair, he teased, "So, Sleeping Beauty has finally awakened."

Still dazed, Elyse blinked blearily. "Did someone visit? It felt oddly familiar."

Jayden nodded. "Indeed. They left the fruit basket."

After a moment, Elyse slowly propped herself up, her expression tinged with disappointment. "I've been suspended from the national tour. All my hard work feels wasted."

With deliberate care, Jayden took an apple from the basket and began peeling it. "You may be sidelined for now, but remember, I'm here. If you want that national tour, you can have it."

Elyse chuckled. She knew Jayden had the resources to facilitate her performance. However, she wasn't ready to give up.

"I refuse to accept defeat without a fight. Even if I can't make the national tour, I'm determined to prove myself and expose Mabel's deceit," Elyse asserted.

Jayden cut the apple into small pieces and offered a piece to her lips. "Alright, I'll help you," he promised.

Elyse's heart fluttered at his words, but she reminded herself to remain composed. Jayden didn't reciprocate her feelings; he only saw her as a suitable wife.

"Thank you," Elyse said softly. "It's what I should do. Remember, I'm your husband."

He gently fed her the apple, saying in a commanding yet caring tone, "You need to eat. You haven't had anything all day."

Although Elyse wasn't particularly hungry, she ate the entire apple under Jayden's insistence. She firmly declined his attempts to feed her more.

Jayden asked Peyton to check on Elyse. Once Peyton confirmed that, aside from being weak, Elyse was healthy, she could be discharged. Concerned for her well-being, Jayden insisted she stay one more night.

Elyse acquiesced and remained in the hospital. That night, she sat on the bed feeling disoriented. Having slept extensively during the day, she couldn't sleep again. She avoided the intense scrutiny by not checking her phone, feeling at a loss.

Then Darren called, his voice weary. "Grace and I reviewed the surveillance footage. Strangely, only the footage from our first performance was corrupted. Even the backups vanished. I suspect Mabel tampered with your locker that day."

Elyse recalled that day vividly. "Exactly. Security wasn't as tight then. If Mabel wanted to sneak in, she could have easily done it."

Darren sighed. "Even if we pinpoint the time, without footage, she could deny it and accuse us of fabricating the story."

Elyse clenched her teeth. "You're right. Without evidence, we're at a disadvantage."

A silence fell, thick with frustration and uncertainty. Darren's tone shifted to amusement. "Speaking of which, something amusing happened today. Rebekah publicly confessed her love to Freddy."

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