"Lyse, stop flattering me. I'm not as good as my mom in embroidery." Tatiana bit her lips softly as dimples appeared on her flushed cheeks.Of course, she was over the moon to receive Alyssa's approval. However, nothing could beat Sean's compliments. She might not be able to sleep from the excitement."You took after Lyla's talent in singing and dancing. On top of that, you're great at arts and crafts. I'll introduce you to a top fashion designer. You could collaborate across fields, and that would launch you to fame. That will help you to carve your path in the world of fashion design. What do you think?""Thank you, Lyse, but … I am more interested in an entertainment career. After all, I'm a student at the Solana Film Academy. I hope to become an actress after graduation." Tatiana was soft-spoken and rather unconfident.Lyla had endured bullying in the entertainment industry. So, Winston strongly disagreed with Tatiana's choice to attend Solana Film Academy and enter the industr
It seemed that Liana would move into Seaview Manor as the future Mrs. Beckett and live with Jasper soon. Alyssa was understanding because she would have felt upset at the belongings of Jasper's ex-wife lying around too. "So, I guess they're a problem for you? Why don't you throw them out instead of asking me?" Her voice was wintry."What about the gifts from you? Do you want me to throw them out too?"She smirked. "Those were gifts from Alice White, not me. They might be treasure in her eyes, but they are nothing more than garbage to me."She left Jasper choking on anger."Call up my secretary if there's anything else. I don't pick up calls from unknown numbers. I'm hanging up.""Alyssa.""Are you done?" She raised her voice out of irritation."What about the costumes? You take great care of them. Do you want to throw them out as well?" His voice hardened with a hint of threat. "If you don't pick them up, I'll deal with them as I see fit because no one's claiming them."Aly
"A name list of your suitors." Winston looked amused.Everyone was dumbfounded at Winston's announcement. Even Tatiana, who had impeccable manners, dropped her utensils in shock. Silas almost spat out his coffee and was coughing with a red face."Winston!" Alyssa sprung up with a sharp frown. "You're taking revenge against me, right? That's not very gentlemanly!""Revenge is sweet." He took a casual sip of his coffee. "Anyway, why would I take revenge on my daughter? I know you're low profile, but the news of the divorce will spread in our circle soon. "They'll be laughing at you. If Jasper Beckett is marrying someone new after the divorce, I'd do anything to make sure you have what he's having.""So, if he gets the case of the crazies, do I get that too?" She fired back with a snicker."Anyway, I have made the decision. I rushed Neil to compile a list overnight covering bachelors of your age from similar family backgrounds in the nation. Get ready to meet with at least five of
Jasper was standing alone by a black Ferrari with a straight back and a gentlemanly demeanor right outside Heightsnew Villa.He narrowed his eyes at the intricate family crest on the metal gate during the wait.He had been looking into the Taylor family for days. From his research, he learned that the Heightsnew Villa was the property Winston Taylor bought for his first wife, Alyssa's mother. The luxurious villa was one of its kind in the nation and worth more than the monetary value.It turned out that Alyssa's mother had named the villa. On a side note, he found out that Alyssa had chosen the name Alice White during their marriage, partly inspired by her mom's last name, Whitaker.Still, he hadn't figured out the reason she had chosen "Alice" for her first name, if there was any. She did not look like an Alice.When he was deep in thought, the gate creaked open. He quickly gathered his attention and tensed up a little. He found Alyssa standing on the stairs and staring down at
Immediately, Jasper reached for the seatbelt and helped Alyssa fasten it.She clenched her jaw and flinched as though she was in contact with filth. "Where are you bringing me?""Last night, we agreed on picking up your stuff from my place today." He let go of her and leisurely placed his hands on the steering wheel."I will be there. You didn't have to pick me up!""I don't trust you." He started the engine and stole a glance at her. "You're a bloody good liar. How many times did you lie to me in the past three years? Were you ever honest with me?""Had I never?" She smirked. "Think what you want. It doesn't matter."Her words were like bullets to his chest. He felt chills in his body. Sometimes, he'd rather she had never fallen for him. At least, he wouldn't have felt guilty for his poor treatment of her.The Ferrari sped on the highway as the scenic view passed them by in a blur. Since Alyssa could not escape, she decided to take things as they came. She crossed her arms an
Alyssa's lashes fluttered. Jasper's knowledge gave her the goosebumps."How did you know I am a size 5.5?"He remained stoic. "Your feet look tiny. It was a blind guess."She curled her feet in the slippers awkwardly but did not forget to take a dig at him. "All men are the same. They're either leering or openly touching the opposite sex."He went silent. Deep down, he knew he wasn't being upfront. He learned about her shoe size only because he had carefully scrutinized every single item she left behind at Seaview Manor.He also learned that she had a stockpile of snacks at home, like a squirrel collecting nuts. Most of them are chocolates. Her favorite perfume was La fille de Berlin by Serge Lutens, which he remembered well. At first, he thought the spicy scent did not suit her. Looking back, he was wrong. The arrogant and intense scent was created just for her.He learned about her shoe size. Her collection of white shoes was laid out cleanly on the shoe rack, as though she w
Alyssa felt creeped out by Jasper's sudden show of care. His belated attention was like expired food that only brought disgust.She made a call to Sean. "Sean, I'm at Seaview Manor in Solana City. Pick me up now.""What?" He was astonished to hear that. "W-Why are you there?""It's a long story. Let's talk when you're here."After the call, she made her way up the stairs. She planned to pack the clothes and leave the moment Sean arrived, as she did not want to overstay.Her former bedroom was near Lauren's room. From talking to the maids, she learned that Lauren had taken a break from her studies. She thought of checking in with the girl.Standing at Lauren's door, she overheard Betty's bitchy rant. "You little bitch! What did you do to Mr. Harper at Grandpa's birthday? Tell me!""No, I didn't … Betty, I didn't do anything to him." Lauren's teary voice was heart-wrenching to hear."Bullshit!" Lauren's denial only fanned Betty's anger. Betty believed that her sister was lying. "
Alyssa paused for a while before saying coldly, "I'm fine, but Lauren might not be."Jasper's eyes darkened as he tightened his grip on Betty's wrist."Ouch! Jasper, let go! It hurts!" Sweating from the pain, Betty was close to tears. He finally let go of her wrist. Betty stumbled backward and fell onto the ground from the strong impact."Jasper, that bitch started it! She threw her slippers at me! Look at the mark on my face—that's the evidence!" Punching the ground between sobs, she grumbled, "How could you blindly side with an outsider who beats up your sister at home?"Surprisingly, he did not so much as give Betty a look. Instead, he turned to Alyssa. "Are you really okay?"Alyssa secretly rolled her eyes and ignored him. Instead, she hurried over to Lauren and squatted on the floor, gently caressing Lauren's soft hair."Alyssa!" Lauren immediately went into her embrace and sobbed. She had never shed a tear when Betty hit her. However, she lost control of her tears when sh