She reached out and tugged at Jeslyn's ear, declaring, “I'm calling your father this instant."

“But he's on a business trip," Jeslyn protested weakly.

“He's away on business, then. So he sent you to me instead? Look here, I'm not the one to be your constant guardian."

"Elsie directed me your way," the youngster retorted. "Told me you'd be willing to look after me. So she was only lying about that." No sooner had the words left her mouth than Jeslyn's eyes filled with tears, and she began to weep.

Jessie fixed her gaze on Jeslyn, observing as the tears made their escape.

It was bold, Jessie thought, for Jeslyn to show such vulnerability.

The sight kindled a fire of frustration in Jessie, pushing her to the brink of phoning Albert. Yet, the mention of Elsie stayed her hand.

In the end, there was nothing for it but to contact Elsie directly.

The call connected. Elsie, caught amidst her ride on an electric bicycle, phone in hand, feigned confusion. “I'm sorry? Miss Green, could you repeat that? It's terribly noisy here, and your words are getting lost in the wind."

Jessie spent a good while trying to convey her message.

Elsie claimed the wind was too fierce, muffling Jessie's words. She added, offhandedly, that she was visiting her hometown for the time being.

After ending the call, Elsie pressed on, pedaling her electric bicycle towards her home.

The reason behind sending Jeslyn to Jessie lingered on her mind.

Earlier that day, she had glimpsed Jessie's boyfriend, cozying up to a young girl and her family.

From her hidden vantage, Elsie feared for Jessie's emotional well-being and decided Jeslyn's presence might somehow ease the looming heartache.

In Elsie's eyes, Jessie deserved someone better, certainly not a disloyal partner.

Despite her bicycle's dwindling battery, Elsie pedaled with determination at the thought of Jessie and Albert getting back together.

Meanwhile, Jeslyn, perceptive beyond her years, noticed Jessie's reluctance to host her.

With a mix of defiance and sorrow, she suggested, “Why not call my Dad? It seems... no one wants me anyway."

Jessie, masking her own frustrations with a scoff, retorted, “Think I haven't got the nerve?"