Chapter 33:

Elyse, seated in the living room, was startled by Jayden’s sudden laughter. Perplexed, she hesitated before rising and going to the study door. After a gentle knock, she asked, “Jayden, is everything alright in there?”

Jayden remained silent, but Elyse didn't worry. Turning to leave, she was startled as Jayden flung open the door, fixing her with an intense gaze. Elyse stepped back, asking, “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Jayden sidestepped her question, saying, “Would you like to see your sister?”

Confusion clouded Elyse's thoughts. Jayden's demeanor was unsettling; he seemed on the verge of losing control. Without speaking, she approached him and embraced him comfortingly, his face nestled against her chest. He didn't resist, allowing her embrace to anchor him. After a while, he asked, “What are you doing?”

In a hushed tone, Elyse murmured, “You left me for two hours earlier. I missed you, and I needed to hold you close.”

A flicker of amusement danced in Jayden’s eyes. He didn't resist the embrace, pulling her closer, finding solace in her warmth. It was peculiar. Moments before, he had felt his world spinning, his breath catching in his throat. Now, in her arms, a sense of tranquility washed over him. He found the embrace oddly comforting.

After a moment, Elyse said, “Mabel is locked in the basement. Will she resent me if I visit her?”

Jayden scoffed. “You’re worried she’ll resent you? She already does; you just refuse to acknowledge it.”

Elyse sighed. “I know. I’ll go see her.”

With determination, Jayden guided her out of the villa toward the basement.

Upon arriving, Elyse wrinkled her nose at the foul odor. “Where is that stench coming from?”

Jayden shrugged. “Your sister had a panic attack and soiled herself on the first day. My staff refused to clean up, and I couldn’t force them. So she’s been left to endure it.”

Elyse’s expression turned complex. “How foul and neglected must this basement be if it hasn’t been cleaned for days?”

As a bodyguard opened the door, the overpowering stench hit Elyse with full force. The odor nearly overwhelmed her, but after a moment, she entered, pinching her nose.

Inside, the harsh light revealed Mabel in a desolate state, huddled in a corner, silent and disheveled.

“Mabel?” Elyse’s voice quivered.

Startled, Mabel lifted her head, resentment flickering in her eyes. With a sudden lunge, she rushed toward Elyse, but the chain shackling her leg restricted her movement.

Spewing curses, she shouted, “You wretch! This is all your fault! Let me out of here! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this mess!”

Elyse’s expression shifted slightly. Despite days of confinement, Mabel’s temperament remained unchanged.

“Did I disappoint you by surviving?” Elyse asked, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

Casting a disdainful glance at Mabel’s shackled leg, she added, “If I were you, I’d be more humble and beg for forgiveness instead of wallowing in your own filth.”

Mabel snapped back, “Let me out! I’ll make you pay! You should be locked up here, not me!” ...

Changes Made:

• Chapter Number: Changed to a more realistic chapter number.
• Sentence Structure: Improved sentence flow and structure for better readability. Combined some short sentences, broke up some long ones.
• Word Choice: Replaced some less precise words (e.g., "taken aback" with "startled").
• Dialogue: Improved dialogue tags for clarity and conciseness. Removed unnecessary adverbs.
• Punctuation: Corrected punctuation throughout, particularly comma usage.
• Removed "": This was an extraneous addition.

The revised passage is more polished and reads more smoothly.