Alyssa's voice was unbelievably soft. Still, it didn't fail to strike everyone present like a lightning bolt to the head.Newton's and Javier's jaws both fell to the ground. Liana felt a chill surge through her spine, spreading through her limbs. Her face had turned pale white, alongside Betty's and Sophia's.Who would have thought that Jasper's unwanted bride, whom everyone had treated like a lowly maid, was the daughter of Belbanks' most powerful family?Betty nudged her mother weakly. "Mom … Mom, is this real? Is this bitch—""Shut up!" Sophia screeched, pushing her daughter's hand away.Jasper was frozen in place, every emotion under the sun filling his chest up like a balloon. Confusion, shock, and awe flashed through his being every other second. It felt like he might drown under the weight of everything.How could his wife of three years, who had sacrificed herself taking care of his grandfather and tended to everything, be Winston Taylor's most beloved daughter, Alyssa
Newton's face was bone white as he quivered just the slightest. "What is this, Alice? What is going on?"He found it hard to change the way he addressed her."How is this possible?" Javier's ego couldn't handle the shame such news would bring if it were leaked to the public, nor could he stomach these claims. Javier said, "We have the state's best security here. They would have found the culprit by now! Everyone on the guestlist tonight are close friends and family. No one would dare to do this! There must be some misunderstanding. Maybe Jonah got food poisoning, or—""You can choose not to believe me, but the truth will come out eventually. Our doctors are very efficient at what they do, so the results should come out very soon," Alyssa said firmly, her gaze a cold, gleaming blade. She continued, "You said it yourself—you have the best security guarding this house tonight, with only family and friends attending the celebration. That means the culprit is most likely among you."
Lauren was sleeping in Landon's arms, her hand gripping his shirt collar as her eyelashes fluttered lightly. She looked like some angel from heaven.Landon glanced at her briefly but quickly looked away. He had years of experience with this, so he could easily shift his focus elsewhere. When he looked back at Betty, his tone had grown sharp and angry. "You'll be missing out if you leave now, Ms. Betty.""I … I wanted to go to the washroom …" Betty stuttered, heart pounding in her chest."You can go after."Landon walked past Betty, heading for Jasper and Alice.Betty's jealousy spiked when she noticed the red love bites on Landon's neck. Something exploded in her brain and started buzzing nonstop. If Landon hadn't drank the drugged wine, then—Betty's heart plummeted at the realization that Lauren had likely drunk it.Did they do anything? Did they sleep together?"Fuck! Damn you, Lauren Beckett!" Betty screamed internally."Lauren!" Alyssa and Jasper cried at the same tim
"W-What do you mean, Jasper? Are you trying to lock us in? Do you think we're some kind of criminal suspects?" Sophia screeched, fearful their schemes would be revealed."That's a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think? I just need everyone's cooperation to clear out the rotten apples in our family," Jasper snapped, exuding even more authority than his own father did. "If you are innocent, you won't have to worry about anything.""Yes!" Newton cried. "We … We can't let something this humiliating stand! We need to investigate this matter and give Alice and Jonah proper closure!"Betty's teeth were chattering in fear, while Sophia could no longer retort."Mr. Beckett!" Just then, Xavier entered the hallway, two bodyguards behind him dragging the kitchen maid between them.With a strong push forward, the girl was flung onto the floor before everyone."I managed to get the CCTV footage as you instructed, sir. I was implementing a lockdown on the whole venue when I caught her trying
Betty immediately became the best straw dummy."Did … Did you really do this, Betty?" Newton asked in pure disbelief.Landon's eyes narrowed as he glared at Betty. If Laurie hadn't accidentally drank that wine, he would have become a victim under a hand!Alyssa remained calm throughout, a faint sneer on her lips. It was as if she had grown bored of all the vileness present."How dare you accuse me, you bitch?" Betty shrieked, about to storm up to the maid and kick her in the face when Sophia reined her in. "I'm Javier Beckett's daughter. Think of what I would do to you if you accused me of such a vile crime!"She might be sharp-tongued on the surface, but Betty was actually terrified out of her wits. She couldn't drag Liana down with her, as that would reveal them as cohorts. Suddenly, Betty realized Liana had used her."How could you be so evil as to accuse my daughter? Our family treats all of you servants very kindly. Yet, here you are, still trying to drug these two young m
Newton's 80th birthday celebration started out so well, only to end in a terrible bang. He wasn't in the mood to continue it anymore, nor did Winston and Alyssa intend to stay further.The Becketts escorted the father and daughter out, with Jasper quietly by Alyssa's side. Occasionally, he opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.Winston kept on side-eyeing him. If looks could kill, Jasper would have been sent to meet his Maker already.Winston couldn't believe that Jasper, whom he deemed an asshole, was the one who had married his precious Alyssa. Did he actually think he deserved her? Winston thought Jasper was useless. "Mr. Taylor!" Liana cried, running up to Winston. "I'm … really sorry about tonight. I made a grave misunderstanding. I really didn't know Alice was your daughter … I misunderstood her relationship with Mr. Jonah. I'm so sorry …"Winston didn't even look at her. "So you're saying that if Alyssa weren't my daughter, you would have continued talking trash
A contract marriage? Winston was close to fainting as he fought against the urge to slap Jasper. However, he was the most puzzled by his daughter.He thought it was outrageous enough that his brazen daughter went to serve as a war medic on the battlefield. To his dismay, she had gotten married without his knowledge in the three years she was gone. Worse, she was involved in a contract marriage with Jasper.He really wanted to know what was going on in her mind.Jasper felt his eyes growing heavy with tears. There was a suffocating burden on his chest.Now that she was on the verge of leaving him for good and sealing the unhappy chapters of their lives during Newton's birthday, Jasper demanded an answer for the separation."If I recall correctly, our first encounter happened three years ago. Why didn't you reject Grandpa's suggestion of marrying me? Why?"Alyssa squinted at him without any feeling. "Why are you dwelling on the details after the divorce? Maybe I had nothing bette
The Becketts might be one of the established elites in Solana City, but the stock price of the Beckett Group would have doubled following the news of the marriage with the Taylor Family.Alas, it was too late.…In the dark of the night, Alyssa looked out of the window with a vacant look and an empty heart. She replayed the memory of Jasper's shattered expression when he demanded to know why she had married him in the first place. Somehow, looking at the frustration and indignance on his face, she felt like she had abandoned him.She clenched her fist and shook her head hard. She reminded herself not to spare any sympathy for men, for that was how tragedies start.Jasper couldn't possibly fall in love with her now, not after she had waited for him for three years to no avail. Perhaps he had only pretended to look resentful and bitter in front of Winston to absolve himself of his cruelness in their marriage."So, why did you marry him?" Winston gritted his teeth and cracked his