When the piano concert officially began, Christina Hammond gracefully made her way to the stage, dressed in a velvety navy gown. She took her seat at the piano and proceeded to perform her self-composed song, the one that had catapulted her to fame—"Whispers of the Four Seasons."The audience sat in silence, captivated by the melody.However, Alyssa couldn't tear her gaze away from Christina's exquisite navy dress. It was a one-of-a-kind haute couture piece designed by the renowned fashion designer Sharon, who happened to be Alyssa herself. Sharon's creations were reserved for accomplished and talented celebrities like Christina.Jasper, too, found himself distracted from the performance. His fists clenched, and he trembled visibly. Throughout the performance, he directed an intense and fiery glare at Alyssa.Occasionally, Jameson and Alyssa leaned in to whisper to each other. She nodded and smiled, clearly engrossed in their conversation.Jasper's lips remained tightly purs
The tension in the air was almost palpable. Caught off guard, Alyssa inadvertently locked eyes with Jasper. She furrowed his brow in annoyance.Jameson, too, found himself unexpectedly caught up in the situation. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses with an unemotional façade that quickly transformed into a sheepish expression. "I'm sorry, Ms. Taylor. I had no idea he'd be here when I invited you along. I'll forgo Madam Hammond's autograph. Let's go."Alyssa, however, remained composed. She flashed a cool smile and stood her ground. "No need to worry. I'm perfectly fine. There's no reason to avoid my ex-husband. I want you to get that autograph to fulfill your mother's wish."Jameson widened his eyes at her, seemingly touched by her words. In contrast, her ex-husband's face fell.Jasper could hear her reply loud and clear as they stood not far away from each other.Throughout the concert, he had been seething with anger, and he finally lost it when Alyssa mentioned Jameson's mo
Alyssa raised her chin and confidently strode toward Jasper. He could feel his heart racing as he watched her approach, his whole body tensing up with anticipation. He desperately wanted to approach her.Frowning deeply, Zoe tightened her grip on Jasper possessively. She could tell that Jasper knew the beautiful Alyssa. More than that, he seemed to care about Alyssa a lot!Just as Jasper believed Alyssa was headed toward him, she breezed past him."Christina!" Alyssa left behind an astonished Jasper and called out to someone with a wide smile."Oh! My sweetheart!" Christina strolled over from the far end of the corridor, waving excitedly at Alyssa as though they were long-lost friends. They evidently shared a close bond.The three men stared agape. Even Zoe was dumbfounded at the scene. Christina had always been distant and aloof. Throughout their three-year mentorship, she seldom praised Zoe and often appeared annoyed.What did Alyssa do to elicit a rare smile from Christina?"
As they exited the theater, Zoe clung to Jasper, just like how she did when they were younger. She blabbered about her experiences abroad and professed her longing for him.The only difference was that she'd hold hands with both Landon and Jasper when she was a kid. Now, she treated Landon like a servant, completely disregarding him. She only had eyes for Jasper.Landon trailed behind them with a gloomy expression. Even his sister had ditched him after Alyssa rejected him. He started having doubts about his attractiveness.Upon reaching the parking garage, Jasper abruptly came to a stop. He took a deep breath and firmly withdrew his hand from Zoe's grip."Jasper, what's wrong?" She blinked innocently, her hand left suspended in mid-air."Zoe." He turned to her, looking cold and distant, a stark contrast to how he acted around her when they were kids. She froze up in panic. "You're not a child anymore. Some of your behavior is inappropriate.""What's inappropriate about it? Yo
The night was illuminated only by the solitary presence of the moon. Jasper's Maybach pulled up at the gates of Seaview Manor, and he stepped out alone. He instructed the chauffeur, "Send Xavier home. I'll head in alone.""But Mr. Jasper, we heard thunder on our way back. It will rain soon." Xavier's face was full of concern. The distance from the gate to the manor is quite far. I'll send you in.""I'm fine." Jasper coldly adjusted the knot of his tie. "I feel a little stuffy. A short walk will do me good. You should head back.""Alright, then," Xavier reluctantly agreed but kept a watchful eye on Jasper until the Maybach disappeared from view.With a heavy sigh, Jasper continued on his path toward the manor. Just a few steps later, the ominous sound of thunder echoed through the night.The rain was pouring relentlessly outside. By the time Jasper arrived at the manor, he was thoroughly drenched. The cold fall winds and rain had assailed him mercilessly, further adding to the
Betty was one of Zoe's few friends. Zoe had befriended Betty primarily because Betty hailed from the esteemed Beckett family. Zoe deemed Betty worthy of her friendship."Gosh, Betty, you look gorgeous today! And you've even brought gifts. You really didn't have to do that," Zoe smiled brightly and welcomed Betty at the entrance. They held hands like best friends. "Zoe, I missed you so! You look prettier than when we last met!" Betty complimented Zoe with a hidden agenda.Knowing that Landon adored his sister, Betty believed that forming a strong friendship with Zoe would give her a valid reason to visit the Harper Residence. Her plan involved playing the long game by winning over Penelope Harper's affection and eventually getting Zoe to speak highly of her to Landon.It was only a matter of time before she and Landon talked about marriage. She couldn't help but gloat over her clever plan."I came back from my Sedona trip a few days ago and picked up some souvenirs. I bought som
As Landon was away and Penelope was recovering abroad, Betty's plan of sucking up to her future mother-in-law was on pause.Still, she was overjoyed when Landon accepted her gift.The girls enjoyed the fall scenery in the afternoon with high tea under the sprawling sycamore tree in the Harper Residence's backyard."Zoe, when did you first meet Alyssa?" Betty felt an alarm bell ringing within her. She resented and feared Alyssa."I bumped into her backstage at Christina's performance by accident," Zoe replied, casually crossing her legs and taking a sip of black tea. She glanced at Betty and remarked, "You seem to hold some kind of grudge against her.""A grudge? More like a long feud!""Oh, that sounds serious.""You've been away for years and missed out on the drama," Betty ground her teeth. "Alyssa Taylor is a master manipulator who has been toying with Jasper and Landon! She's made our family into a circus!"Betty realized that she might have inadvertently likened herself
"But Mr. Javier and Madam Sophia adore you! You can be my spy and send me intel. We'll win against Alyssa if we team up!" Zoe's eyes shimmered with desire.Betty perked up at the mention of taking down Alyssa. "Okay! Deal. Let's see if that will put a dent in her arrogance!"Zoe crossed her arms on her chest with a smug smile. She had been raised in affluence and showered with love from her mother and brother. She even attended school alongside members of the royal family and received numerous international awards. Her life in the limelight was filled with a continuous stream of applause. She had never lost to anyone and always got what she desired."And I'll save my hand-holding for the woman I love." Jasper's words echoed in her head.She silently vowed, "Jasper, I won't let you slip away, not this time. I will marry you no matter what. I'll be the one to hold your hands!"…Soon, it was time to go home to Belbanks. She had been diligently managing her work, attending mee