?Chapter 456:


    Jolie remainedpletely unaware that her cold, workaholic eldest son already had a woman waiting for him at home.


    Elena offered a gentle smile as she reassured her, “Mom, don’t worry. Jeffry knows what he’s doing. When the time is right, he’ll settle down.”


    Jolie sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly. “I hope so.”


    Javier raced home and locked himself in his room. He kept staring at the avatar of Nameless, his eyes narrowing with each passing moment. The more he studied it, the more unmistakably it resembled Jolie’s garden.


    No shit! He couldn’t even defeat his aunt in ying games. He started questioning his life choices.


    There was a knock at the door.


    Javier opened it listlessly. It was Elyse. His expression cooled as he positioned himself firmly in the doorway. “Do you need something?”


    Elyse’s smile faltered slightly. The growing distance between them was unmistakable. Once, he’d weed her with warmth in his eyes, his room always open to her presence. Now, he stood sentinel at his threshold, silently dering his space off-limits.


    Masking her frustration beneath a veneer of patience, Elyse asked with mock concern, “I saw you rush away from Alexander’s house and shut yourself in here. Has something upset you? Javier, please don’t misinterpret my concern. If my presence bothers you, I’ll disappear immediately.”


    Tears threatened at the corners of her eyes, her posture a portrait of humility. Something in Javier’s chest softened at the sight, melting his resolve to remain cold. “I’m fine, Elyse. I don’t mind your presence. There’s no need to read too much into it.”


    Elyse’s fingers twisted together anxiously as she ventured, “Truly? I’ve felttely as though I’ve be unwee—that everyone wishes I would simply vanish.”


    Javier replied, “I have no reason to lie to you.”


    Elyse’s face brightened with apparent joy, though beneath her pleasant expression lurked contempt. Her true purpose in seeking out Javier was to gather information about Elena.


    A few days ago, Cathy had departed for Edgewing, and since then, Elena had been conspicuously absent from work, staying at home.


    Find exclusive updates gα?ησν??ls


    Elyse figured Elena had clearly been put in her ce by Cathy and was now hiding away, keeping her head down to avoid further trouble. The thought brought an unbidden smile to Elyse’s lips.


    “Thank you, Javier.” Seizing the moment, Elyse carefully ventured, “You’ve just returned from Alexander’s house. How is Elena doing? She seems to have misunderstood my intentions. I’ve noticed she hasn’t been outtely, and I’m somewhat concerned about her.”


    Javier immediately felt something was off. Why was Elyse questioning him about Elena? If genuine concern motivated Elyse, Elena lived just next door—nothing prevented Elyse from checking on Elena personally.


    Javier’s momentarily thawed demeanor froze over once more. “If you’re worried about her, Elyse, you can ask her yourself.” He mmed the door shut with finality.


    Elyse clenched her teeth and stomped her foot in frustration. Javier was nothing but a time-waster obsessed with mobile games. What a useless loser! She envisioned that when she became a celebrated actress, everyone would be dying—


    .


    .


    .