?<strong>Chapter 1572:</strong>


    Brook’s troubled nod hung heavy in the silence.


    Beside him, Elyse frowned, words offort dying on her lips before they could form.


    With a weary sigh, Brook turned to Jayden, his voiceden with barely contained frustration. “You promised me you’d rescue Jennie. But since then, you never gave me any news about her, nor told me where she was.”


    “I know where she is,” Jayden replied carefully, measuring each word, “but I can’t act right now. She’s currently under the Bates family’s control. Although her freedom is restricted, her life isn’t in danger.”


    Brook’s eyes widened. “The Bates family? Where is she exactly? I need to find her!”


    Watching anxiety ripple across Brook’s features, Elyse stepped in. “Don’t get too worked up. If Jayden hasn’t acted, it means rescuing her isn’t easy.”


    Brook copsed into a nearby chair, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration. “What should I do?”


    Jayden observed his cousin with a mixture of pity and disdain, noting how love had stripped away hisposure. “How is Corrie doing now?”


    At the mention of Corrie, disgust twisted Brook’s features. “What else? She’s pressuring me to marry her.”


    His voice grew bitter as he continued, “When Grandpa was alive, she worked for him, made quite a spectacle of herself, and curried favor with several key n members. Now, those who once epted her ignore her. She doesn’t want to lose her former glory, so she’s determined to cling to me at all costs.”


    A calcting look crossed Jayden’s face as he considered the situation. “I know a solution. Soon, you’ll be able to see Jennie.”


    Brook’s face clouded with confusion. “What sort of solution do you have in mind?”


    Jayden leaned back, a faint smile curling his lips as he crossed his legs. “Simple—find yourself a new girlfriend.”


    Brook blinked, baffled. After a moment, he sighed. “I’m asking for serious advice, Jayden. Could you not joke around?”


    Jayden met his gaze steadily. “I’m not joking. I mean it. Make it public—loud and clear—so that everyone knows about it. That’ll pull Corrie’s attention entirely toward your new girlfriend.”


    Brook frowned. “But why?”


    Jayden leaned forward, his tone calm yet calcting. “Corrie’s holding Jennie hostage because you refuse to marry her. She’s convinced you’re still carrying a torch for Jennie. If you show her that you’ve moved on, her obsession might wane. She might even release Jennie, hoping Jennie will bait you back.”


    Brook’s expression shifted as understanding dawned. “That’s a clever gambit. You’re sharper than I gave you credit for.”


    Jayden smirked. “Corrie’s ambitions are as transparent as ss. She’s all about climbing the socialdder.”


    Brook stood, a n forming in his mind. “I’ll take care of it today. I’ll find someone willing to y along.”


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