?Chapter 1549:


    Elwood maintained his silence like a fortress wall, lost in thought.


    His carefully controlled features offered no hint about whether he had epted this borate exnation or if suspicion still gnawed at the edges of his consciousness.


    “Is that really the truth?” he muttered softly.


    Tamara responded firmly, “Absolutely. Do you honestly believe I would construct lies to deceive my own son?”


    Elwood chose to withhold any furthermentary, allowing the silence to stretch between them. His furrowed brow gradually smoothed into something resembling eptance, as if her words had finally settled the tempest in his mind.


    Seeing that he didn’t pursue the matter further, Tamara felt a sense of relief.


    She knew better than to overexin. That might breed suspicion.


    With calcted precision, she changed the topic. “Elwood, I believe the time has arrived for you to really consider your rtionship with Tasha.”


    The moment Tamara’s lips formed Tasha’s name, Elwood’s expression turned cold.


    A sh of barely contained irritation ignited in the depths of his prating eyes. “Mom, we have already exhausted this particr discussion multiple times. That chapter of possibility has been permanently sealed shut.”


    Tamara fixed Elwood with a re, her frustration manifesting in waves of visible anger. “Why must you remain so stubbornly resistant to reason? You and Tasha are both single. She has devoted twenty precious years of her life to waiting for you!”


    “Don’t you believe such extraordinary loyalty deserves at least some measure of thoughtful consideration?”


    Elwood’s face had transformed into an emotionless mask carved from marble, his voice acquiring the cutting edge of winter wind. “I never once requested her unwavering devotion, nor did I ever offer false promises that might have encouraged such dedication. She did that on her own free will, and the consequences of her decisions hold absolutely no relevance to me whatsoever.”


    “You…” Tamara felt both angry and resigned.


    She attempted to find middle ground throughpromise. “Simply agree to spend some casual time in Tasha’spany. I’m not demanding that youmit to a romantic rtionship immediately. Just give it a try, okay?”


    “The answer remains an unequivocal no,” Elwood refused with finality that brooked no negotiation.


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    “You stubborn—” As Tamara’s anger reached its boiling point, Elwood’s raised hand cut through her building tirade like a de.


    “Exhaustion has imed mepletely, Mom. I respectfully request that you grant me the solitude necessary for proper rest.” His words carried the tone of dismissal wrapped in polite formality.


    Tamara red at him, visibly furious. After a moment of thought, she turned to leave without a word.


    However, after taking several decisive steps toward the door, she suddenly halted her retreat and whirled around to face Elwood with renewed determination zing in her eyes. “Elwood, I’m delivering this warning with absolute seriousness; you cannot continue this pattern of running away from reality indefinitely! I strongly advise you to contemte everything I’ve shared with you today!”


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