Chapter 55

"Lanny just told me that Mabel slept with Theo Ward," Elyse said, her tone conflicted. "He wants us to go home and deal with it."

Peyton was horrified. "Wait, what? Theo Ward? He slept with your sister? Weren't you engaged to him?"

Elyse nodded, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "That's the one. I always knew Mabel liked him, and I even encouraged her last time we met. Still, this is beyond anything I imagined. How did they end up together?"

Jayden, the most composed of the group, had investigated both Elyse and Theo. "Theo isn't a notorious playboy, but he's far from a saint. He has a rich romantic history," Jayden commented. "He started dating young and is good at covering his tracks."

Elyse's brows furrowed. "How do you know so much about him? You know more than I do."

Peyton rolled her eyes. "Why are you surprised? He's your husband; of course, he investigated him."

Elyse remained shocked. Jayden's extensive knowledge surprised her. Jayden, meanwhile, clenched his fists to restrain himself from strangling Peyton.

"Anyway, I'm going to see what's going on," Elyse said. "I'm curious how this happened."

Jayden nodded. "All right. You'll be going alone, though."

"You're not going with her?" Peyton asked.

"I don't want to get involved," Jayden replied flatly.

Driscoll, remembering the last incident, spoke up. "Excuse me, sir, but I think you should go with your wife. Her family might bully her again."

Peyton agreed. "Exactly. I know you hate this, but your wife needs support. Who will be there for her if you're not, Theo?"

Jayden gritted his teeth. Why were they all pushing him into this? "It's all right," Elyse interjected. "I can go by myself. I know how to use Jayden's name to my advantage."

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This unexpectedly convinced Jayden. "Fine, I'll come with you."

Elyse blinked, speechless. After afternoon tea, they went to Lanny's. As soon as they entered, Elyse heard Mabel's sobbing—much more serious than before. Glenda was weeping too. Mother and daughter huddled on the sofa while Lanny, his face red with anger, seemed to have been berating them.

His expression changed upon seeing Jayden and Elyse. He approached eagerly, pandering to their needs—Jayden's, specifically. "At last, you've come. This family is in chaos. I don't know what to do," Lanny lamented.

Elyse was dumbfounded. This amiable man was her father? "Tell your daughter to stop crying," Jayden said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "My head is starting to hurt."

Lanny immediately whirled on Mabel. "Stop crying, you shameless girl! You've annoyed Mr. Owen!"

Mabel raised her tear-streaked face. Elyse spotted a hickey on her neck. "So it really happened," Elyse blurted out.

Mabel felt conflicted. She was smug about sleeping with Elyse's ex, but also rejected by him, leaving her feeling empty.

"Yes, we did. So what? I slept with your ex, the man you loved most," Mabel admitted defiantly.

Glenda quickly covered Mabel's mouth. "Stop spouting nonsense!"

"Precisely," Lanny added angrily. "What are you talking about? Your sister loves Mr. Owen here. Keep it up, and I'll sew your mouth shut."

Mabel cried harder, feeling abandoned.

Jayden stared at her. "You're not crying because you lost your virginity, but because he rejected you afterward. Isn't that right?"

Elyse gasped. "What?"

"I'm guessing your sister asked Theo to take responsibility, but he refused. She feels taken advantage of; she gave away her virginity for nothing." ... ... ...