Why was Jasper still out there? What was he trying to get at?Was that an attempt at winning her sympathy? Alyssa would never fall for such an off-putting move!Fueled by anger, she stormed into her bedroom, only to come to an abrupt halt.The rain in fall was not as mild as the summer showers. In Solana City, the nighttime temperatures during fall could plummet below freezing.She pondered. Jasper had been standing out there for hours in a thin outfit. If he stayed put …It'd be a huge hassle to deal with the police if he dropped dead at her gates!At the thought, she hurried back to her room and dialed his number. She was dismayed to learn that his phone was turned off.She was completely baffled by his move. She might not have felt sympathy for him, but her curiosity got the better of her. Hence, she left the villa with a large black umbrella.Jasper had been standing in hunger and the rain for too long. He even momentarily mistook Alyssa's petite figure as an illusion.He
As Alyssa was no longer in love with Jasper, she shed off any pretense of a demure lady and doubled over in laughter. "Why would I be upset over nothing? I'm a Taylor. It's hard to faze me. Don't you think you've underestimated me?""That's good to hear." Jasper looked glad."Why did you come all this way to tell me that?" Alyssa wondered, never once considering that he might have done so out of love for her.After all, he had had many chances to fall for her in the three years of marriage. It didn't make sense for him to suddenly develop feelings now. That would be a ridiculously delayed response."Alyssa, at the end of the day, I am indebted to you. Ours might have been a paper marriage, but that was no excuse for my poor treatment of you," he tried to explain his behavior. "So, if there's a chance, I'd like to make it up to you.""Make it up to me? Sure." She cast him an indifferent glance. "How about you promise to keep out of my sight and stay out of my business? That's all
The day after the KS World Hotel scandal, Betty dressed up nicely to meet with Ada at the presidential suite of Berenike Hotel.It was clear to her that Betty fell short in comparison to Alyssa in terms of fashion sense, class, and eloquence. In ordinary circumstances, Ada would never have considered associating with such a superficial person were it not for the fact that Betty was a Beckett."Madam Ada, KS World's contractual breach has led to the postponement of your wedding. Even I was worried when I heard the news. Their handling of the situation was amateur and careless."It was highly unprofessional of them to expose client's information online. This case will no doubt be the perfect cautionary tale in the industry," Betty indignantly bashed KS World Hotel, oblivious to the sullen look on Ada's face.She went on, "Had you chosen Berenike Hotel, you wouldn't have gotten into this mess.""Are you implying that I was bad at decisions?" confronted Ada, who took a sip of the bl
"You cannot allow the others to read your mind through your actions. It's a risky behavior," Javier cautioned Betty."Got it, Dad."Then, Javier made a video call to Jasper. Jasper's stoic face appeared on the screen.Seeing that, Betty clung tighter onto Javier's arm in an attempt to put on the act of a loving family.Jasper ignored her and asked, "What's the matter?""Your sister has secured the partnership with Ada Kingsley. We just need you to formalize the agreement," Javier instructed him. "Meet her as soon as you can and close the deal.""You won't need me at all if Ada is on board," Jasper answered with a smirk. "Congratulations in advance, Betty. You've won a project from Alyssa that will surely help your career."As you are a capable woman, I will leave the contract signing to you. I wouldn't want to steal your thunder."Betty smoldered in anger, but without Jasper's help, she could not resolve the awkward situation with Ada."Jasper, Betty is your little sister. She
After escaping from Landon that night, Lauren found herself unable to sleep. Upon returning home, she discovered her injuries. She had a severe scrape on her elbow that was bleeding and oozing pus. The stinging pain brought tears to her eyes.As she had hurt herself after sneaking out, she kept quiet about her wounds and quickly tended to her injuries with whatever was available in the first aid kit. Then, she snuggled with her teddy bear under the covers, but that didn't help. She ended up tossing and turning throughout the night.Between sleep and consciousness, a flood of memories inundated her mind.She remembered the degrading experience of being forced to eat lunch in a squalid restroom. She also remembered the humiliating incident of being dunked headfirst into a trashcan by a male student under Zoe's command. She recalled the shocking discovery of a dead rat hidden in her bag and her cherished novel torn into shreds by Zoe's cruel hands.And then there was the harrowi
"I'm Ms. Lauren, the daughter of Javier Beckett. Why do you listen to Betty but not me? Go, now!" Lauren growled.The butler scurried off to get her a car with a sullen look.…The city shimmered with the glow of night lights. In a luxury lounge in ACE, Zoe and a few rich kids in Solana City drank alcohol and smoked. She looked more like a female gangster than a young lady from an esteemed family.Zoe went to Yoarkley for her studies after graduating junior high. She didn't have many friends left in Solana City. The ladies and gents that night were from the same social clique in her junior high class and her lackeys to bully Lauren."How's Lauren these days? I haven't seen her since we graduated. Isn't she keeping an unusually low profile for a Beckett?" someone wondered aloud.Another gossiped, "Hey, I heard from my mom that Lauren's mentally challenged. That's why Madam Sophia doesn't parade her around.""Seriously? No wonder she always seemed dumb and slow in junior high. L
An eerie hush filled the air of another luxury lounge despite the deafening music reverberating from beyond its walls.Dressed in black from head to toe, Landon had left his silk shirt partly unbuttoned, exposing a glinting silver necklace that swayed in rhythm with his breath. Landon took a languid sip from his red wine and crossed his slender legs. He casually brushed away a drop of red wine in the corner of his lip with his fingertip. He looked leisurely and even insolent, but his eyes were an icy, unfathomable depth.A row of men stood in the lounge. Landon downed the red wine and snapped his fingers. His bodyguards split into two lines and revealed a badly beaten man on the floor who was tied up."M-Mr. Harper, it's my fault. Please …" After losing a few teeth to the beating, the man spoke with a lisp. Drool mixed with blood fell from his mouth."Tsk. Your blood is all over the floor." Landon shot him a disdainful look and arched a brow, questioning, "Do you know how expen
Zoe and her friends couldn't help but share a laugh at Lauren's expense. Lauren was darting around the room like a lost kite. Drunk customers shoved and pulled her around. Some perverted patrons even groped her. Her attempts at dodging the unwanted advances were met with reprimands. That was better entertainment than any comedy."Hahaha! That retard! Why has she not changed from junior high at all? Did she stop growing by then?" Zoe laughed and pointed at the screen. "Betty, I'm dying to know. Where did you stash that stupid bear?""I hid it at …" Betty laughed and whispered something into Zoe's ears.Zoe laughed loudly. "What a brilliant idea! That dimwit won't stand a chance of finding it anytime soon."…Lauren desperately scoured the space beneath the tables and was kicked multiple times by the customers. She suffered bruises all over her body.She stood there, dazed and trembling, wrapping her arms around herself for comfort. Her mind went blank at the funny looks of t