?Chapter 1683:


    Elyse murmured in her sleep, “Leave me alone.”


    Jayden whispered softly into her hair, “I just want to give you a kiss. Go back to sleep.”


    Five dayster, Jayden’s people finally cornered Tracy, intercepting her on a street.


    With nowhere to run, Tracy’s pulse hammered in her ears. Her voice wavered between fear and defiance as she demanded, “Who sent you?”


    One of the bodyguards held up his hands in a cating gesture. “Bernard, please don’t be rmed. We’re working for Mr. Jayden Owen. He’s sent us and will be here shortly. Please wait.”


    The mention of Jayden’s name sent ice through Tracy’s veins. She knew exactly why he was doing this, and thest thing she wanted was a confrontation.


    “Move!” she burst out, her voice rising in pitch. “I’m going home! You have no right to stop me like this!”


    “I’m following Mr. Owen’s instructions,” the bodyguard repeated with practiced calm. “Please wait. He’ll be here soon.”


    Tracy’s fury erupted. She seized the bag of tangerines she’d just purchased and threw them at the bodyguards, juice sttering across their pristine suits and faces.


    “Get away from me!” she shrieked. “I don’t want to see any of you!”


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    At that moment, Jayden’s car pulled up. He observed her outburst, his brow creasing slightly as he approached.


    “Seeing me frightens you this much?” he asked. “Or are you worried I’ll bring Elyse with me? Are you not ready to face her yet?”


    Tracy’s eyebrows arched in manufactured confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she snapped. “I don’t understand a word of it. Tracy? Elyse? Who are these people? All I know is you’re preventing me from going home! Now move!”


    Jayden’s demeanor grew eerily calm. “I can,” he said, “but first, tell me why you’re with Lowell.”


    Tracy regarded him with undisguised suspicion. “That’s none of your business.”


    Jayden hesitated for a beat before arching an eyebrow. “Does Lowell have any clue that you’re his girlfriend?”


    Tracy’s eyes constricted to dangerous slits. “What’s that supposed to mean?”


    “I just can’t believe Lowell, of all people, would choose to be with the woman he almost killed. And, from what I’ve seen, he treats you well. So either he’s got amnesia, or he’spletely unaware of who you really are.”


    Tracy let out a short, mirthlessugh. “Jayden, aren’t you supposed to be the sharp one? Connect the dots yourself. Why drag me into it?”


    Jayden smirked. “Why waste time guessing when I can pull the curtain back with a snap of my fingers?”


    He paused for effect. “So, should I summon Elyse? Or perhaps Lowell?”


    Tracy’s face lost all color. “No!” she blurted out, shaking her head furiously. “Don’t call them! I can’t— I won’t face them!”


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