Chapter 212
Jaden stood at the door, his voice cold as ice. “You have a problem with me?”
He’d overheard everything, including Ella saying she wasn’t done with Zack yet. Those words hit him hard, like a knife twisting in his heart.
When Zack saw it was Jaden and not some new threat, he breathed a sigh of relief and greeted him with a smile. “Oh, Mr. Griffin! Didn’t expect you to be here. Want something to eat? I can whip up a quick supper.”
Jaden raised an eyebrow. “Sure, can you cook it for me?”
Zack looked taken aback. “Me? We have a cook here.”
Jaden nodded. “Yes, but I’d like to taste your cooking. Is that a problem?”
Zack stammered, “Ella, I… I don’t really cook.”
“Just look up some cooking videos on TikTok,” Ella said. “We’ve got everything you need here.” She was definitely more lenient with Viper.
For her, he was older and had enough going on, so if the younger guys had to step up, so be it. Zack slunk off to the kitchen, resigned to his fate.
After a kitchen disaster and a lot of effort, he managed to bring out three dishes and a soup.
Jaden took a bite, grimaced, and said, “This is what you’ve got?”
Zack kept quiet, not daring to say a word.
Then, Ella tasted the food and immediately frowned–it was pretty terrible.
“Mr. Griffin, if you’re hungry, let me call the kitchen to make something. Don’t make things hard for him; cooking’s not really his thing,” she offered.
“Yeah, I’m no chef, but I can fish, play sports, dance, sing, and put on a show,” Zack boasted.
“Flashy,” Jaden commented dryly.
“Ella,” Zack finally looked at her, hoping for a support.
Ella gave him a nod. “Just head back to your room and get some rest.”
Zack looked visibly relieved, like he’d just been let off the hook.
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Chapter 212
“Mr. Griffin, do you not like my boyfriend?” she asked, noticing the tension.
Ella wasn’t oblivious–she could tell there was some clear discomfort.
Jaden just stayed quiet, his mood clearly off.
“Do you want me to get the kitchen to make something else for you?” Ella offered.
“I’m not hungry,” Jaden replied gruffly and headed upstairs to rest.
“Good night, Mr. Griffin,” Ella said, but Jaden had a feeling he wouldn’t be sleeping well tonight.
Lying in bed, Jaden couldn’t stop thinking about Ella and Zack. The idea of her having sex on with someone else was almost too much to bear.
Despite reminding himself that Ella had every right to live her life, he couldn’t help but feel the sting of it all.
Spending time with her had stirred something inside him–feelings he thought were long gone.
He tossed and turned all night, his mind racing and his body restless. It was like his body was being pricked by a thousand tiny needles.
Ella felt so close, yet seemed miles away.
He finally fell asleep just before dawn, but only for a couple of hours.
When he got up, the house was eerily quiet. Ella and Zack were nowhere to be seen. The staff greeted him politely, with some familiar faces and some he didn’t recognize.
Breakfast was laid out on the dining table, and one of the staff mentioned, “Ms. Willow asked us to make sure you’re well taken care of while she’s gone.”
Then, Jaden asked, “Can I walk around later?”
“Of course,” came the reply.
Jaden finished his meal and decided to check out the guest room he used to stay in.
When he opened the door, he was taken aback to find the room completely bare–just walls and floors, with no furniture in sight.
He called someone over and asked, “What’s going on with this room? Why is it empty?”
The staff member looked puzzled. “I’m not sure. But it’s been like this for about three years. Ms. Willow had everything cleared out. A lot of stuff was thrown away.”
Jaden’s heart sank a little. “Do you know who used to stay here?”
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Chapter 212
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“I’m not entirely sure,” the staff member said. “I’ve only been here for a few years, so I don’t know much about it. It seems Ms. Willow didn’t like discussing it, and over time, no one really paid much attention to that room. We just clean it regularly
Jaden nodded and left the room, feeling a bit of detachment.
Things had changed, and so had people.
Even if he wanted to go back, it was up to Ella. She probably hated him by now.
He hesitated about checking her room, afraid of seeing Zack’s belongings and unable to summon the courage to open the door.
He wandered downstairs and noticed the withered tree outside, propped up by wooden supports. A small, somewhat shabby cabin was built around it.
The servant, observing Jaden’s interest, mentioned, “Ms. Willow built that herself. Sometimes she goes up there to spend time alone.”
“Any particular reason for the cabin?” Jaden asked.
“I’m not sure,” the staff replied.
Jaden was determined to see the treehouse for himself, even though his legs were shaking with
every step.
When he reached the cabin, he found it sparsely furnished with just a hammock. The roof had a few leaks, and the windows were patched with clear glass, but it kept out the wind and rain. On a clear night, one could even gaze at the stars.
Next to the bedside lamp, Jaden saw a large doll and a glass rose, things left behind by that idiot.
It was left behind by that fool.
Ella had kept these items in pristine condition, even though she had cleared out everything Jaden ‘had left behind.
On a wooden stake, there was a message which read, “All pure people deserve the best. Jay, I’m sorry.”
Jaden’s fingers traced the inscription, and his heart felt heavy.
It was clear Ella had kept these mementos for that version of him, showing she cared deeply.
Ella had even built this treehouse and preserved these items, while also dedicating herself to charity, especially for those with mental health issues.
She had supported medical research and donated to equipment.
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Chapter 219
After the idiot man left, Ella had dedicated herself to helping others like him.
Just like that child he saw at the hospital–maybe it was the kid’s rough background or his innocent eyes that made her think of the man.
Ella had a soft spot for pure, simple people. She didn’t have much patience for those who were shrewd and calculating.
Thinking about it all made Jaden’s head spin. By the time he came down from the treehouse, he looked pale and shaky.
“Mr. Griffin, are you okay?” The servant’s concern was evident.
Jaden shoved the servant aside, stumbling as he made his way out. He felt like he couldn’t breathe, like he was suffocating.
Ella, who had received a call from the servant, asked, “Has Mr. Griffin left?”
“Yes, that’s right. He insisted on leaving after coming down from the treehouse. He didn’t see anyone coming to pick him up either. No matter how much I tried to convince him, he wouldn’t listen,” the servant explained.
Got it. Thanks,” Ella replied.
She tried calling Viper a few times, but he didn’t answer.
Ella didn’t go after him; he was an adult, after all. Was he really going to run off like a kid just because he was upset?
If he wanted to leave, she wasn’t going to beg him to stay. She wasn’t the one who kicked him out. Half an hour later, she called again, and this time someone picked up.
“Mr. Griffin, why are you leaving? Is there something wrong? Is my house uncomfortable?” Ella asked.
“Don’t worry about it. He’s at home now. I’ll make sure he’s taken care of,” a young woman’s voice replied from the other end.
“Just don’t bother him. He prefers not to be around strangers. Please be respectful,” the woman said before the call ended.
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