Bound by love: Marrying my Disabled Husband

Chapter 1289:

Pearce faltered, his words caught somewhere between his thoughts and his tongue. Several times, he opened his mouth as if to speak, only to clamp it shut again. Jayden, ever perceptive, arched an eyebrow. “If you’ve got something brewing up there, just spit it out already.”

Finally, Pearce let out a sigh, meeting Jayden’s gaze with a hint of exasperation.

“Ever consider that you’re seeing Elyse all wrong?” Pearce’s tone was firm. “You think she’s fragile, but maybe she’s anything but. She’s solid, dependable, and more than capable of handling whatever life throws at her.”

Jayden’s brows furrowed, his lips tightening, but he didn’t interrupt.

Pearce’s voice softened slightly. “You’ve gotta stop clinging to the Elyse you’ve imagined. Take a good look at the one in front of you—the one standing tall and handling everything like a pro. She’s far from breakable.”

As he finished, Pearce shifted his gaze back to Jayden, his expression growing increasingly incredulous. The longer he looked, the more convinced he became that Jayden was utterly clueless. How had this man not pieced it together yet? Pearce couldn’t help but wonder—if Jayden couldn’t grasp something this obvious, how on earth had he managed to become so successful?noveldrama

Meanwhile, Elyse remained blissfully unaware of the conversation unfolding between Jayden and Pearce. She was far too engrossed in navigating the crowd, making connections, and leaving her mark.

In just thirty minutes, she had already gathered a small circle of admirers, her charm and confidence weaving an effortless spell. Pearce approached her quietly, leaning in to speak.

“You’ve been on your feet for a while now. Do you want to take a breather? The night’s still young; no need to overdo it.”

Elyse flashed him a quick smile, shaking her head. “I’m fine. So far, everyone’s been easy to talk to—no troublemakers yet. They’ve all been surprisingly accommodating.”

But just as the words left her lips, a sharp, cutting voice sliced through the hum of conversation.

“Well, it seems I arrived late. I hope my tardiness hasn’t soured our gracious host’s mood.”

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The chatter around them stilled as heads turned, all attention drawn to the older woman who strode toward Elyse with deliberate steps, the crowd parting like waves before her.

The woman carried herself with an undeniable air of authority, leaning slightly on a cane yet losing none of her regal bearing. Her dark purple dress complemented her gray hair, styled meticulously into an elegant updo. Though her face bore the marks of age, her sharp, piercing eyes suggested a spirit as vibrant and unyielding as ever. It wasn’t difficult to imagine her as a stunning beauty in her youth.

Elyse leaned slightly toward Pearce and whispered, “Is that…?”

Pearce’s expression grew serious. “Celeste Griffin.”

The name hit Elyse with a ripple of unease. Celeste Griffin—Cody’s teacher and, more significantly, her father’s mentor. What could bring such a formidable figure to her banquet?

Elyse couldn’t shake a twinge of apprehension. Whatever Celeste’s intentions, they couldn’t be taken lightly. Yet, she kept her composure. No matter the circumstances, Celeste was a guest, and Elyse knew better than to falter. Putting on her most gracious smile, she stepped forward.

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