"I appreciate the thought, Mrs. Hodgson." Alyssa nodded kindly. "But I'm a divorcee with no intention of remarrying anytime soon. I'd only waste you and your son's time in that regard.""Oh, never! So what if you've divorced? You're still a gorgeous, strong young woman, far more formidable than many other women your age!" Betty's cheeks grew hot with embarrassment and anger upon hearing this. She shot Alyssa a hateful glare, feeling like a fading star beside a bright sun. With Alyssa around, nothing else ever shone.Alyssa and Sean soon left in the golf cart, leaving the Becketts to their mess."Well, Javier, I take it you'd understand if we call this partnership quits. There will be better opportunities in the future." Orlander nodded at Javier, then quickly left with his wife.If he insisted on giving Javier this project, nothing good would come. His entire reputation might be dragged through the dirt.Meanwhile, while Javier was getting a headache trying to resolve the curren
In a matter of hours, the Beckett Group made the headlines nationwide and across all social media. A video of Sophia being dragged off the golf course had surfaced and soon became viral all across the web.A company as big as Beckett Group could have easily silenced such an internet movement. Unfortunately, Alyssa had gotten to them before they could, so it was useless.The company behind the news channel that streamed the 3:00 pm breaking news had KS Group as their main shareholder. Hence, they followed Alyssa's whims and instructions. In fact, if Alyssa asked, they could even make a silly remix of it and stream it 24/7.Some creative content creators had even turned Sophia and Betty's dumbfounded, shocked, and aggrieved expressions into stickers and emoticons. They soon became everyone's top-used stickers.Javier was doing all he could to quell the rumors by getting Sophia back from the Investigative Bureau, feeling as if he had lost a solid decade of his life.Meanwhile, Alys
Tatiana was always considerate and grateful, so Alyssa never really knew how to pamper her."Taty! Are you back in the city?" Alyssa asked happily over the phone."Yep, I'm at the school," Tatiana replied. She sheepishly asked, "Um … Are you doing anything tonight?""You wanna hang out?" Alyssa immediately knew what Tatiana was up to."Mhm!" Tatiana eagerly answered. "We haven't had a chance to properly spend time together since you came home. Why don't we have dinner tonight? My treat!""Just dinner? No drinks after?" Alyssa teased.Tatiana's tone took on a mischievous edge. "Drinks afterward, then! We'll go for some karaoke too. We haven't had that much fun in ages. I'll definitely sing better than you.""Hahaha! You're on!" Alyssa laughed. "We'll see who's the final victor tonight!"…During the board meeting at the Beckett Group, Javier emphasized three critical directives. The first was to eliminate any negative consequences resulting from the actions of Sophia and Henry,
"Don't cross the line, Jasper Beckett!" Javier cried, slamming his hand on the desk."Business is business, Dad. Keep the personal things out of it. That's what you've always taught us." Jasper languidly leaned into his chair, expression calm."You're greedy, that's what you are! Haven't you had enough? What should have been Justin's post was given to you already, yet now you still want to aim for the board? Why don't you just swap in as President yourself?" Javier roared.Jasper sneered, shooting his father a cold glare. "Haven't you benefited more from me being in my current position? Ever since I was young, you have set a price on every single thing I wanted to attain. "You know full well why I'm in the CEO's chair today, so why act like the innocent victim here? We're the only ones in this room. Don't you get tired of putting on this act?"Javier was left red-faced and speechless. "Me as VP, in exchange for the company's salvation from a serious crisis. It's your choice." J
"Ms. Alyssa, I've heard there's a wonderful café in the university with the best macchiatos. Why don't I grab some for you and Ms. Tatiana?" Sean suggested."That would be lovely. Bring her out here too." Alyssa's eyes never left the plans she'd printed out. She added, "She didn't answer my call just now, so call her later when you head inside. I don't think she knows we're using this entrance.""Alright, miss." Sean stepped out of the car and went into the university. The moment he did, several young students gave him admiring looks. He was quite attractive, tall, and dressed in a proper suit and tie. Sean ignored the looks sent his way and proceeded to buy two coffees. Nonetheless, he still managed to catch the attention of the female baristas. Two fashionably dressed students walked into the café, all designer clothing and jewelry."Did you hear? The performance arts' convocation play is setting Tatiana Taylor as the female lead!"Sean paused what he was doing and focuse
Tyler said, "Isn't this what you wanted? You can stop the act now." Tyler then pressed Tatiana up against a tree trunk and leaned in to kiss her."No!" Tatiana screamed, closing her eyes as tears began falling from them.Suddenly, a loud yelp was heard, followed by Tyler cursing, "Fuck!" Slowly, Tatiana opened her eyes. She saw a familiar figure standing before her, deftly throwing Tyler over his shoulder.Sean then knelt down, grabbed Tyler's lapel, and began punching his face repeatedly.Frightened, Tatiana cried, "Stop! Stop it!" She ran up to Sean to grab him so he would stop hitting Tyler. She was scared Sean would actually kill the boy."You … How dare you? Do you have any idea who I am?" Tyler grunted out weakly, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He glared at Sean, yelling, "My dad is Crowley Corp's President! Hit me again, and I'll make your life hell!""The name's Sean Lynch, from Belbanks." Sean's voice was tinged with anger. Still, he forced himself to calm dow
Jasper ended up meeting Landon in a newly opened club in Solana City. Landon's tables were filled with all kinds of wine. He held one right now, belting out his lungs to "Live or Let Die."Jasper reclined on the luxurious sofa with a shot of whisky in hand. He looked like some sullen Adonis, exuding a strong, potent air even in the dim surroundings of the room."So live and let die!" Landon yelled into the microphone.It was nearly enough for Jasper to crush his shot glass into pieces.If he had known Landon for two years less, he wouldn't be sitting here keeping the loser company or enduring this torture.Jasper took a painful swallow of his whiskey."My man! Burp!" Landon called, heaving a loud burp before falling onto the couch beside Jasper. He reached out to hook an arm around his friend's shoulders, asking, "How was my singing? Terrific, no?"Jasper frowned and moved away, making Landon fall flat on his face on the sofa. "You're terrific if you were a donkey in heat.""Fu
"I'm sorry, Ms. Alyssa, Ms. Tatiana. Please have a safe trip home," Sean said with a sigh. "I'll be leaving now. But please, contact me if there's anything urgent, and I'll come to your aid immediately!""Alright, alright. You nag more than women do," Alyssa scowled, gently pushing him onward.Sean gazed at her for a moment more before finally leaving with a smile.The sight filled Tatiana up with envy, a bitter feeling rising from her heart to her throat. But she wasn't jealous of her sister at all. Alyssa truly was a marvelous and exceptional woman. It made perfect sense for Sean to have a crush on her instead.Someone as weak and soft-spoken as Tatiana herself would never get his attention.But then, why did Alyssa's ex-husband divorce her?Maybe he had cancer and didn't want to become a burden …Alyssa had booked a VIP room for them at the karaoke. A bone-chilling wail came from the opposite room when they reached its door."So scary!" Tatiana grabbed onto her sister's arm.