Sophia said, "Lia, you're his granddaughter-in-law. Go and give your grandpa a hand.""Grandpa, I'll help." Liana smiled demurely and walked up to Newton, but the latter flashed a smile at Jasper and Alyssa instead."Jasper! Alice! Come over and help me out." Not only that, Newton rolled his eyes at Javier. "Get out of my way. I'm tired of you. I prefer the company of youngsters. Their spirits cheer me up!"Javier smiled bitterly and let go of his dad. Liana had stopped in her tracks. Red in embarrassment, she debated if she should stay put or walk up.Forcing a smile, she silently cursed at Newton, "Old fart! Why are you still hanging around?"Alyssa glared at Jasper, who happened to look in her direction. She quickly looked away after they exchanged glances, leaving him with the view of her cold side profile.A little fazed, he pursed his lips and removed his gaze from her. They walked side to side to Newton.Everyone exchanged looks, feeling amused by Newton's treatment of Li
The guests turned toward the voice and were stunned by who they saw.Jonah Taylor smilingly wandered into the main hall accompanied by Sean. Alyssa's eyes lit up with joy. She almost blurted out his name aloud.Jasper's heart almost stopped at the sight of Jonah. His frosty eyes looked even more threatening at that moment. Alyssa seemed to have felt the change in him, as though she was standing right beside a walking iceberg.She reflexively looked at Jasper and found him looking glum. A frightening storm was brewing in her eyes."Please excuse me for running late," Jonah said to Newton politely. He showed up in a special outfit that day, looking outstanding and gentlemanly in a high-neck top with a dark suit.The ladies around him swooned at Jonah, thinking of marrying him or Jasper in their dreams."It's not a problem. I am glad you're here." Newton smiled warmly at Jonah and treated him no differently, even though Jonah was Winston's son.Alyssa felt relieved at Newton's reac
"Dad, Alice is in a relationship with Mr. Jonah," Javier whispered in a low voice. "Please stop hooking her up with Jasper because she's dating someone new. You can't force a relationship.""That's right." Sophia jumped on the train. "Seeing the way Mr. Jonah immediately picked her up after she left our family, you could tell that their fling started way back.""Way back?" Newton glared."Yes. How else would their relationship grow this fast? That's why I told you it was useless to worry about Jasper and her. A loveless marriage is meaningless. They might as well break free and find their happiness.""So, you don't have to worry about Alice. She's joining the Taylor Family—they're as good as we are," Sophia muttered softly with hidden intention. She wanted to shatter Newton's impression of Alice as a prim and proper lady.Alyssa pursed her lips and stared at her feet. She had long anticipated the arrival of this day, and she was fully prepared to face Newton's resentment."Grandp
Jasper felt as if he was crushed by the weight of shame. At the same time, Landon bitterly racked his brains for a counteroffensive against his love rival.Feeling a sharp pang in her heart, Alyssa mumbled, "Grandpa …""Dad, it's your birthday. Let's put aside the upsetting talk." Javier went up to Newton and smiled. "Why don't we look at the gifts your grandchildren got you? We'll have dinner afterward so we don't keep the guests waiting."'Oh, right, it's present time!" Newton rubbed his hands adorably like a child.Firstly, the guests who were close to the Becketts presented their gifts to Newton, who cheerfully received each item and thanked his guests."Grandpa!" Smiling, Landon stood in front of Newton and declared, "I'm close to Jasper. His grandpa is mine. May you be blessed with good health and happiness!""Thank you!" Newton was all smiles."Grandpa, happy birthday!" Betty shuffled over with a shy smile and attempted to stand beside Landon. "I know you're into antiques
"You're right, Dad." Javier and Sophia could only agree with Newton with apologetic smiles."I am so happy with this gift. Where's Lauren? I want to give her a hug!" Newton beamed."Ms. Lauren says she won't join us because she's sick. She'll meet you in person later," Ben reported."Sigh, that child …" Newton lamented. "Ben, frame the painting and put it up in my study. That way, I can look at it whenever I feel like it."Ben nodded and carefully put the painting away. Betty was wordless with anger when she observed Newton's interest and care for Lauren's gift. Betty thought that Lauren, who never had much allowance, might humiliate herself by purchasing a miserly gift. To her dismay, Lauren decided to be creative by presenting a handmade gift. In the end, the vase that Betty splurged hundreds of thousands on was overshadowed by a shabby painting of Lauren's!"Oh, Lauren, just wait and see. You're dead meat!" Betty thought.On the other hand, Liana was pacing the corridor. S
"That's ridiculous!" Liana struggled to keep the smile on her face. "I bought this from the Harpers' auction house. It can't be a counterfeit!"After she dragged the Harpers into the mess, Landon snickered. "Ms. Gardner, you are probably unfamiliar with the industry because you haven't been involved with auctions. Parry's Auction of the Harper Group is the biggest auction house in the nation. "The items we take in have undergone stringent inspection and verification. It is impossible to buy counterfeits from us. It's one thing to be ignorant; it's another thing to ruin my family's reputation."The look in Jasper's eyes deepened. He recalled Alice's smirk when she indirectly led Liana to buy the replica at ten times the starting price at the charity auction. Could she have foreseen that Liana would buy the painting for Newton?Was it all a coincidence or a trap from the start?"Ms. Gardner, a counterfeit item is different from a replica," an expert voiced out his opinion to clear
Liana shouted, "Why didn't she continue bidding if she wanted the painting? She never planned to buy it in the first place—she only wanted to trick me!"The onlookers shifted their opinions about the situation."Could Ms. White have done that to Ms. Gardner because she was upset with the divorce?""That's unnecessarily petty. What's the meaning of pulling that after a divorce?""It is not meaningless. She must have been indignant after losing her marriage with the distinguished Mr. Beckett.""She looks proper on the outside but mean on the inside. Women like her only use their brains on petty tricks."Liana felt great hearing the barrage of criticisms on Alice."Ms. White, did you really do that?" Javier knitted his brows and looked sternly at Alyssa. Similarly, Newton was waiting for her answer."Ms. Gardner, it was a misunderstanding." Alyssa took a step forward. Her face scrunched up into a pitiful expression. "I was the one who first bid for the painting. You followed suit.
It was time for Alyssa to present her present.When the antique rosewood chair was carried in, every antique fanatic and collector in the venue erupted into excitement."That is a stunning relic!""Oh goodness, I wish I could get my hands on it!""This is probably the most precious thing Mr. Beckett Senior would have gotten tonight besides the porcelain set!""Who is this Alice White? How did she get her hands on something so priceless? Looks like Mr. Beckett's ex-wife might have been an heiress in hiding!"Jasper's heart had leaped into his throat. He gazed fixedly at Alice. He had never expected her to give the old man an antique the Taylor family had won at the auction. This chair itself was worth over a hundred million!It seemed like the Taylor family really doted on her."This is our gift to you, Grandpa. May you be blessed with prosperity and happiness, and live forevermore!" Alyssa said to Newton.Beside her, Jonah bowed his head slightly. "I wish you a happy birthday,