Landon booked one of the presidential suites upstairs in Berenike Hotel and promptly had his female secretary buy a gown for Lauren. He then had his secretary help Lauren get dressed while he waited in the suite's living area.His fingers rhythmically tapped on the sofa's armrest as he waited. Were he in a black suit, he would have the appearance of a groom awaiting his bride's arrival.The bedroom door soon opened. His secretary walked out with Lauren, a smile on her face. "Ms. Lauren is ready, Mr. Harper."Landons' gaze shifted to Lauren, who timidly approached him in a wine-red lace-trimmed gown, her eyes blinking innocently.He was taken aback for the slightest second.Landon's world had always been filled with chaos, violence, and women, but he had never met such a pure, sincere woman as Lauren.He worried that he might tarnish her purity if he gazed at her any longer."Why did you get her this color? She's still young. Pink or peach would have been more suitable." Landon
"What the hell? She scared the shit out of me.""Jeez. Isn't she from the Harper family? Why was she so rude? Doesn't she know any manners?"Zoe had always been accustomed to getting her way, both at home and abroad, whether it involved throwing a tantrum or making outright demands. She had vented some of her current frustration and anger just like that, especially when thinking about what Jasper had said to her.Now that she was back in the country, in front of all these guests who were part of Solana City's upper echelon, she realized that she should reconsider how she portrayed herself in public.Zoe cleared her throat, feigning composure. She then began playing Beethoven's 5th Symphony.Having graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in Yoarkley had its benefits. The music flowed effortlessly with each stroke of her fingers on the keys, allowing her earlier outburst to fade into the background of everyone's minds.Betty stormed over from the back of the hotel to her moth
"What did I tell you, Mom? I told you Lauren was plotting to ruin my plans!" exclaimed Betty. Betty was outraged seeing Lauren there, her wine-red gown catching everyone's attention, even though her sister hadn't the least bit of makeup on. Jealousy burned in her like a flame that refused to die. What was worse was that Lauren's gown matched Landon's, making them look like a couple!At this moment, they even bore a resemblance to a bride and groom attending their own wedding! Betty felt like her purple gown was a slap in her face right now. "I know Lauren better than anyone else, Betty!" Sophia gritted out. "She might be 22, but her mental state and behavior are no older than a child of 10 to 12 years old! "She's still a child with no concept of romance, nor would she be smart enough to think about stealing Landon away from you!"Betty calmed down somewhat after that, though her teeth remained clenched."Things have become more complicated for you. Since Newton's birthday di
A car honked furiously in the distance, its headlights glaring at Lauren as she stood frozen in the middle of the street. Fear gripped her, rendering her unable to move. The vehicle rushed toward her, and in her terrified state, she shut her eyes tightly."Lauren, watch out!"Just then, Landon ran out into the street, diving straight for Lauren and pulling her out of harm's way at the very last second. Before they fell onto the pavement, he used his body to shield her fall, his shoulder slamming into hard rock. Pain shot through his entire arm, nearly making him cry out.The car driver also swerved to the other side of the road to avoid hitting Lauren, ramming right into a couple of decorative flowerbeds. Luckily, he was unhurt.Landon was about to ask if Lauren was okay when she clambered out of his grasp and ran off."Hey! Hey, Laurie! Come back, goddammit!" Landon nearly choked himself with how upset he was. He couldn't help but spat under his breath, "What an ungrateful br
Betty thought that Zoe was a bluff. She couldn't help but wonder how someone like Zoe could possibly get her hands on Alexa's designs when even a celebrity superstar like Ada had trouble doing so.Betty rolled her eyes silently, though she still praised, "You're amazing, Zoe! If you can find one of Alexa's designs to give Ada, she'll definitely join us! "That way, we'd get revenge on Alyssa and help my brother. You'll leave a good impression on him, too. I'm sure your relationship with him will blossom then!"Zoe was grinning so widely that her teeth looked like they might fall out. "That's why we need to win Ada over from KS World!"Betty, meanwhile, had other ideas. She wasn't going to help Jasper. They didn't even share the same mother. Instead, she intended to use this opportunity to prove herself to their father and wrest control of the project from him. That would earn her father's favor and help reconcile her mother's relationship with him. And Zoe would become the ca
Being a Mosgravian, Ada had never eaten such a variety of dishes, so she naturally dug in with gusto. Alyssa and Sean kept her company, the former chatting merrily with Ada as she ate but never once bringing up anything about her marriage with Jasper nor insulting the Beckett Group. They talked about everything from their hobbies to Ada's career to jewelry.When dinner was over, Alyssa and Sean escorted Ada down to the parking lot."Thank you for the delicious meal, Ms. Alyssa. It was quite amazing. I'm particularly fond of that flaky pastry filled with pistachio. Your hotel's chefs are every bit as skilled as you say they are!""That's a pistachio and chocolate cream baklava. I can have a box or two of those sent to you before you leave for Mosgravia. One for you and one for your mother," Alyssa offered kindly."Madam Ada, most of the dishes tonight are actually cooked by Ms. Alyssa here, including the pastry you just ate," Sean said excitedly."Truly? Did you really make tha
Jasper rushed to the hospital first thing after getting word that Landon had been in a car accident. Landon was lying in the VIP ward in a neck and spine brace while his secretary fed him apple slices.He looked like some impotent bum trying to act high and mighty."When did you swap your hair for a potbelly? You're not some greasy 45-year-old man who still has the hots for women twice your age, Landon. So don't act like it," Jasper quipped as he walked into the ward.The secretary quickly got up and greeted Jasper before leaving the room, giving them privacy."Jeez! Are you here to visit me or make me look bad? I can't even move my hands, man!" Landon cried, then winced when he accidentally shifted his wrist too much."Stay put." Jasper went up to help his friend settle back down, though his face remained stoic."Would you wheel me around if my legs get paralyzed, Jasper?" Landon asked pitifully."Ask one of your hundreds of girlfriends to do that for you," Jasper scoffed, "Par
"Autism?" Landon's heart ached at that thought. No wonder Lauren behaved so strangely. Though she was 22 years old, she still had the behavior of a young, naive child.No wonder Sophia never let her out of the house."Did you ask her what she thought about those things you did for her? Whether she wanted you to do them or not? Did you ever step in her shoes and think for a moment? "No, because you're not capable of that." Jasper's breathing was intermingled with a dull pain in his chest. "All she ever wanted was a peaceful, quiet life. Don't go ruining that for her now. You'll only make things worse."Landon was silent for a moment. He asked hoarsely, "Can she be cured?""Do you think she'd still be like this today if she could?"Landon thought about how frightened Lauren was last night, his heart pounding painfully behind his ribcage.Just then, Jasper's phone rang. He crinkled his nose but still answered. "Dad.""Come back to the office right now. We need to talk."The call