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
Liana might be devious, but she lacked the backing of an influential family. She was also physically weaker. Betty figured that she could ride over Liana, either through brain or brawn.Alyssa was another story. Not only did she come from a powerful family, she was ruthless in her revenge. Betty worried she might be Alyssa's punching bag if the latter got back together with Jasper.A sudden idea popped up in Betty's mind. Since there was only space for one, she thought of calling Liana to Seaview Manor. She'd sit back and watch Liana and Alyssa fight.Once she decided on it, she called Liana and exaggerated, "Lia! This is bad! Jasper brought Alyssa home, and they're being touchy-feely! I'm worried that you might actually lose out."…Meanwhile, Jasper ordered the maid to clean up the mess in Lauren's room. At the same time, Alyssa hugged the poor girl while pacifying her."Lauren, don't be scared. I'm here.""You're my sister-in-law!" Lauren was a twenty-year-old but acted child
"Are we not over this yet?" Alyssa curled her fist and took a few deep breaths as her eyes lit up in fury. "I have said what's there to be said. I have nothing more to explain, even if you don't believe in me!""Had we come across each other a long time ago?" Jasper leaned closer to her, desperate for an answer. His body was close to pressing against her back. "Alyssa Taylor, answer me. Had we come across each other a long time ago?"Her chest tightened, and her lips paled. "No, you're overthinking. Our first encounter was when Grandpa declared our engagement. We never met each other before that."She was afraid that he might find out she was the girl who had saved him ten years ago. After the divorce, there was no point reminiscing her 13 years of love and pursuit of Jasper, for that would only remind her of how embarrassing and pitiful she had been.She was prideful. The last thing she wanted him to know was her 13-year crush on him. That'd be too humiliating.Disappointment fla
"Why?" Tears streamed down Liana's face, like a damsel in distress. Sophia had taught her this move because men would fall for it."Good question. Why?" Everyone heard Alyssa's voice from the top of the stairs. Looking over, they found her carrying a suitcase with ease and pompously made her way down with her chin held high.She was the embodiment of grace and charm, a stark contrast to Liana's gloominess.Liana hugged Jasper tightly with a sparkle in her eyes. She glowered at Alyssa. Everyone was anticipating drama at this point.With a hard look in his eyes, Jasper placed his hands on Liana's shoulders in an attempt to push her away. However, Alyssa mistook the action as a flirtation."So, that was why Jasper insisted I pick up my stuff at his place. How else would I have stumbled upon their public display of affection?" Alyssa thought.Her only wish at that moment was to take a bath and change into a fresh outfit at home. She definitely needed to take off her current outfit
Sean was pacing anxiously outside the Seaview Manor. When Alyssa emerged with a suitcase, he hurried over to help her with it."Ms. Alyssa, that bastard did not trouble you, did he?"She frowned at him. "You should quit the habit of calling him a bastard in private. What if you blurted that out when we were in a business meeting with him? That'd be a serious gaffe!""Okay," he answered glumly."He wouldn't have the guts to do anything to me unless he wants me to rip him into pieces." She cracked her knuckles.Sean was tickled by her antics. He grew concerned at the sight of the slippers on her feet. "Why did you wear—""I was in a rush when I left and forgot to change my shoes."If she wanted, she could have worn any pair of her white sneakers on the shoe rack by the door before leaving. However, she stubbornly refused to change into any of her shoes at Seaview Manor to express her disgust and aversion to Jasper and their three years of marriage.Alice White was the owner of th