When Jasper finally reached the barbecue restaurant, Alyssa and her "companion" had long left. He gritted his teeth, recalling how she had been so intimately close to him in the pictures Xavier sent him.Jasper felt like a fool at the moment. However, he couldn't shake his concern about Alyssa coming to such a place late at night for a meal. Did she not understand the concept of boundaries?His phone suddenly rang with an unknown number."Yes?"A monotonous female voice asked, "Is this Mr. Jasper Beckett?" "Yes.""This is the East Solana Police Bureau. What is your relation to Xavier Hall?"Jasper's brows furrowed. "He's my secretary. What's going on?""Please come over to the station."…The night seemed to be passing by like a dream. Jasper couldn't for the life of him figure out how Xavier had gotten himself arrested by the police.When he entered the police station, he came face to face with a man in a black leather jacket. This was the man who was with Alyssa earlier!Cyrus caref
Jasper turned around slowly to find Alyssa standing a couple of steps behind him. Her eyes were cold and flat as they locked onto his."Why did you come all the way here, Lyse?" Cyrus ignored Jasper and went up to her. "I told you I would handle this myself. You should be getting to bed.""No. I need to take care of this myself." She then turned to Jasper, her gaze icy. The sight made Jasper's heart clench. She had never shown him an ounce of warmth since their divorce. Jasper was honestly more frightened than angry over this nowadays. Deep inside, he felt terrified at the thought of being treated like a stranger by Alyssa. He would rather she hated him with all her passion than treat her so coldly."Alyssa …""Walk with me," Alyssa said, then walked out of the police station. Jasper was about to walk when Cyrus grabbed his shoulder. "Hey! Let me remind you to keep yourself in line. This is the police department. Any silly moves, and I'll lock you up for a week!""You're h
Alyssa had almost snarled the word "shameless".Winston Taylor's children had always been cherished and nurtured by him and his wife, Lyla. They were provided with abundant support and room to chase their aspirations and realize their dreams. Alyssa had once thought she could do the same for her love with Jasper, choosing to leave her home to be with him. However, all that transpired was her putting herself in jeopardy and Jasper gradually stripping away her pride and her heart, layer by layer, until she could bear it no longer.She had acted foolishly then. Now that she had regained her senses and returned home, her decision to take on the mantle as the family's heiress was to empower her siblings to do the same.Alyssa didn't want her and her family's life to be disrupted any further, but that seemed to be all that Jasper was accomplishing.She couldn't take it anymore."Shameless?" Jasper's eye grew hooded. He pressed his hands beside her head, leaning in close. "So you d
Jasper was about to punch Cyrus in the face when Alyssa cried, "Don't hit my brother!"That made Jasper freeze instantly, and his hand paused in mid-air.Cyrus leaped on the chance to land a punch on his cheek, the skin at his lip breaking from the force.Jasper hissed, the taste of blood filling his mouth. He stumbled back just the slightest, wincing in pain.Alyssa looked on in shock, not expecting Jasper to have actually listened to her. Jasper just stood there and let Cyrus hit him.Cyrus hurried back to protect his sister, glaring at Jasper, whose lip was now bleeding. "Touch my sister again, and I'll kill you, bastard!"Unbeknownst to him, Alyssa was grateful that Jasper had actually let up on her brother. If he hadn't, Cyrus might have ended up in the hospital.…Alyssa didn't press charges in the end. She knew what kind of person Xavier was, having spent time knowing him for three years. Xavier followed Jasper back to the car like a wounded dog, hunched over and wit
Three days passed in a blur. News of Ada Kingsley's arrival in Solana City reached both national and international media in a blitz of reports.On the night of the welcoming party, Ada Kingsley arrived at Berenike Hotel dressed in a lavender haute couture gown, her hair styled into waves that cascaded down to her knees.Sophia had invited herself to the party. Her hair was styled in an elaborate bird's nest atop her head, revealing two large sapphire earrings and a teardrop-shaped sapphire at her neck. They were named "Halcyon" by its creator. It looked like she had a mini apartment building on her head."Didn't you have another piece of crystal prettier than this teardrop, Mom? Why aren't you wearing that one?" Betty asked curiously.Sophia gritted her teeth, hand clenching around her necklace. "Because of that bitch, Liana! God knows what she and her family got into, owing that much debt! "With my shop having no sales and the police still on the lookout, I had no choice but t
"But Mom, I'll be able to help you when I marry Landon." Betty was pale with shock at her mother's reaction.Sophia pursed her lips, eyes turning dark. She suddenly asked, "How far along is Zoe and Jasper?""What do you mean by how far along? Jasper seems to be still infatuated with that whore, Alyssa. Zoe has no chance whatsoever.""Good.""Mom?""Don't you see? This is a great chance to distance Landon and Jasper from one another!" Sophia prodded her daughter's forehead. She continued, "Landon is his father's only son. Even if his father is still leading the company and family, Landon is bound to take over the mantle sooner or later!"Using Zoe to form a rift between Jasper and Landon was a far better deal than having her marry into the family. "I know Jasper. He never surrenders no matter how much you push him. Regardless, Zoe will still become the thing that separates them in the end!"Betty looked in awe at her mother, now understanding her plan.Suddenly, a faint knoc
The headlines for the next three days were all about Ada Kingsley's visit to Solana City. The news had helped Berenike Hotel regain its footing in international recognition. They had enjoyed a reputation like no other for several decades, becoming the number one place to stay for all kinds of personalities. Their guests included diplomats, athletes, doctors, professors, and other world-famous bigshots. Even Cyrris' previous president stayed in this hotel once.However, its reputation had steadily soured as one scandal after another rocked the Beckett Group. Nowadays, when discussions turned to the company, all that netizens could talk about were Jasper being cuckolded and Liana's reprehensible actions.Reputation and goodwill were something that took time to build. Yet, they could always shatter into nothingness in the blink of an eye.Ada's arrival would not only promote Berenike Hotel, but it would also help build Beckett Group's image back up.That was why Jasper wanted no
Sophia instantly introduced herself, a hint of pride in her tone. "I'm Beckett Group's president's wife, Sophia Kirkman.""I don't understand what she's saying, Mr. Jasper. You don't need to translate for me, though. I'm not interested in her." Ada didn't look at Sophia again, continuing her conversation in Furancian with Jasper.Sophia could only understand a quarter of what they were saying. When she was about to re-introduce herself in Furancian, Jasper said lightly to Ada, "We don't see eye to eye, and I don't plan on introducing irrelevant people to you either, Ms. Kingsley."Sophia froze in place upon hearing that.A flurry of snickers and sarcasm rose from the crowd around her."Wow! Ada's really brave for turning down Mrs. Beckett like that. Who knew she was just as flawless when being herself as she was when acting?""Are you kidding me? Why would Ada Kingsley give a shit about our country's business and economy? She's Mosgravian, for God's sake. 'Beckett Group's preside