Chapter 36 Freddy SugdenThe following day Elyse roused herself with bleary eyes rubbing away sleep as she rose from bed After a quick wash she descended to the first floor for breakfastGood morning Please join us for breakfast Driscoll greeted upon seeing herElyse trotted over and took her seat noticing Jaydens absence Wheres Jayden she inquired curiouslyHes in the study Ill bring breakfast to him later Driscoll repliedKnowing Jaydens preference for the study Elyse suggested Let me take breakfast to him there Ill give him a massage afterwardAlright Ill prepare it in the kitchen Driscoll agreed with a smileWith bread and butter for breakfast Elyse planned to check on the orchestra later now that the internet rumors about her had subsided and her clarification had been releasedAfter breakfast she accepted a tray from Driscoll and made her way to the studyInside Jayden was engaged in a phone call Hearing her approach he promptly ended the call and settled into his wheelchair feigning nonchalanceBreakfast is served Elyse announced cheerfully as she placed the tray before himJayden glanced at the food and queried Why bring it hereHuh She was taken abackThen Jayden remarked Its the servants responsibility You shouldnt bothernmWith a steaming glass of milk in hand Elyse interjected trying to ease the tension You know bringing you breakfast is a gesture of careJayden glanced up catching Elyses disappointed expression and relented Well Ill reluctantly accept it thenHer face lit up with joy upon hearing this Now eat up Afterward Ill continue the massage she insistedSave your energy Jayden urgedvorElyse pursed her lips Why You promised to cooperate with me Cant you keep your wordJayden feeling a bit sheepish under her gaze averted his eyes Do as you pleaseDriscoll observed them with a gentle smile He could tell Jayden clearly doted on Elyse though he stubbornly refused to acknowledge it
After completing the massage Elyse headed to the orchestras studio with her bag Upon arrival she sought out Wanda only to find she was in a meeting She resolved to wait until the meeting adjournedRetrieving activated charcoal from her bag she addressed the lingering paint odor in her locker While she couldnt rid the paint shea could eliminate the smellElyse a voice called outShe turned to see a young man approaching Recognizing him she greeted him warmly Hi Freddy Welcome backI heard about what happened Are you alright Freddy Sugden her high school and college classmate shared her passion for music He specialized in piano while she pursued violinIm fine Everythings resolved she assured himRelieved Freddy sighed and patted his chest I was worried youd take it hard Weddings are such a big dealHis gaze fell upon the activated charcoal in her hand and the red paint in the locker behind her Concern etched his features as he asked Who vandalized your locker with paint How bad is itSpotting Rebekah entering Elyse subtly nodded in her direction Who else could it be but her she indicatedTurning Freddy locked eyes with RebekahYoure back from your tour Freddy Congratulations I heard it was a smashing success Rebekahs face brightened as she rushed over to himFreddy had always been a talented pianist and quite the heartthrob Many girls harbored crushes on him Rebekah included During their college days shed confessed her feelings only to be rebuffed Despite graduation Rebekah persisted in her pursuitFreddys tone hinted at annoyance Whats your issue with ElyseWhy did you vandalize her locker with red paintRebekah struggled to maintain a smile masking her inner turmoil It was a misunderstanding Ive already apologized to her Please dont be upset with me alrightElyse interjected firmly Whether you apologize or not transfer the money to me right awayFreddys expression soured You damaged her belongings What were you thinking Dont you consider her a fellow classmateRebekah couldnt meet his gaze feeling ashamed Swiftly she transferred the money to Elyse and murmured Im sorry Elyse I didnt mean to do that I apologize Can you forgive meElyse sensed Rebekahs insincerity She knew Rebekah was merely putting on a show for Freddy who valued justiceIts fine Ill accept the payment Just refrain from doing it again Elyse responded calmly waving her phone