"Lauren! Why are you here?" Alyssa pinched Lauren's soft cheeks and smiled widely.Lauren pressed her lips shyly and hugged her teddy bear tight. "Alyssa, I missed you … and Jasper. I came because I wanted to see you."A pleased grin spread across Jasper's face upon hearing Lauren's words.However, Alyssa felt a slight unease at being mentioned in the same breath as Jasper. But her heart warmed at the sight of the teddy bear, which she had bought Lauren. Lauren had insisted on bringing it to the party. She gently stroked Lauren's head and confessed, "Lauren, I missed you too."Turning her attention to Landon, Alyssa gave him a pointed look and inquired, "Are you the one who brought her here from Sophia's birthday party?"Landon openly admitted with a smile, "Yes, it was me."Alyssa shot him a glare and jabbed him in the shoulder. "You're still smiling? It seems like you only care about your relationship with Lauren and how it makes you feel. "Have you considered what's best f
Lauren looked up and met Alyssa's gaze with her clear eyes. Despite the silence, Alyssa read Lauren's mind just by exchanging looks.Jasper looked over and comforted Alyssa with a hint of pleading, "This is the first time Lauren's had a crush on someone and defended him. Just think of it as Lauren going on a trip. If she's happy with Landon, let's give them a chance.""I can tell that Lauren cares about him. I don't want to get between them. I just—" Alyssa stared into Jasper's eyes.He smiled understandingly. "I know. I get it." He only reserved this side of himself for her. He added, "But don't you forget that Lauren has me too."It was a curt and powerful statement. She felt her heart skip a beat and hurriedly looked away.Jasper had always been taciturn, but each word he spoke carried weight.All the family members took their seats at Alyssa's table, except for Winston and Lyla. Jasper insisted on sitting beside Alyssa, unfazed by the disapproving looks from those around he
Jameson stood outside the hall in a modest, dark gray tailored suit, a stark contrast to his extravagantly dressed family members. His neatly slicked-back hair and gold-rimmed glasses added an intellectual touch to his appearance."Jimmy, let's … let's go home. I'm scared …" Lily mumbled, tugging timidly at Jameson's shirt. Thanks to Jameson, she was all dressed up in an exquisite magenta dress, and she wore an expensive hairpin on her bun.Although her set of pearl jewelry seemed simple, it had been exclusively designed for the royal family in Kontina and was more valuable than diamonds.She was Jameson's only family. Therefore, he wanted the best for her. He beamed at her and held her hand, reassuring her, "Don't worry, Mom. I'm here with you.""But …""Mom, I brought you here tonight to meet Lyse. You said you missed her just last night, didn't you? You can meet her here tonight.""Yes. I need to meet Lyse." Her eyes lit up as she called out, "Lyse! That's Lyse!"Jameso
Looking delighted, Jameson smiled. "Thank you, Lyse."…Alyssa led Jameson and Lily into the event hall. David appeared baffled by the scene. Pointing at the door, he gasped, "Josh, look! It's that woman!"Josh casually swirled the red wine in his glass and looked up with a cold expression. He frowned when he noticed Jameson and Alyssa chatting and laughing."Jimmy seems close to Alyssa Taylor.""Pfft, right! A firecracker like her wouldn't fall for a clingy man like Jimmy," David muttered through clenched teeth, downing a glass of wine while glaring at Jameson.He added, "Jimmy is more thick-skinned than anyone else. He was busy peeling shrimp for Alyssa when nothing had even happened between them. If they start dating, he would probably lick her boots!"Clarissa shot a disdainful look at David, whose crude remarks were at odds with his status as a Schmidt."Didn't Dad want to set you up with Alyssa?" Josh chimed in with a smirk. "At this rate, your future wife will soon bec
Lily grabbed Jameson's arm with a nervous expression and insisted, "I want to sit with you. I don't want to be alone here!"Everyone at the table exchanged looks."Hey, Mandy, why do I feel that Mrs. Schmidt … acts a little weird?" Colene elbowed Mandy and asked quietly."I heard from Winston that Mrs. Schmidt has Alzheimer's. It looks like a particularly bad case. She doesn't even recognize us," Mandy whispered back."Oh gosh, Alzheimer's at such a young age? Poor woman …" Colene sighed and cast a sympathetic look at Lily.Jameson looked at Alyssa helplessly as Lily refused to let go of him.After some hesitation, Alyssa tapped Jasper on the shoulder. "Mr. Beckett, could you do us a favor and change your seat?"He looked up slowly with an astonished and aggrieved expression. "Why should I? I was here before them."Landon bit his lip, trying not to burst into laughter. Jasper was indeed quite petty!"The timing of your arrival isn't the issue. As you can see, Mrs. Schmidt does
Alyssa, looking skeptical, silently gave Jasper a look. She didn't understand what he was up to by provoking Jameson."Just some everyday goods. I ran a typical business," Jameson responded, adjusting his glasses. Only the stiffness of his lips betrayed the anger simmering beneath his facade.He added, "Mr. Beckett, I must say you're quite imaginative. I know you hold a grudge against me, but you shouldn't question my character and disregard my hard work because of it."Jasper put on an amused expression.Jameson continued, "I'm different from you. You smoothly rose up the ranks within Beckett Group and swiftly became a young businessman. "You were chosen as the heir by your grandfather. You will never understand the challenges of building a business from scratch."Alyssa took a sip of champagne after hearing Jameson's biting reply. It stirred some of her memories. She was among the few who truly comprehended Jasper's tough journey to the position of Beckett Group's president.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. Let us welcome the star of tonight, Madam Lyla!"Applause erupted in the hall."Lyla! Lyla!" Alyssa cheered happily and clapped hard.At that moment, Winston, looking dapper in a black tuxedo, led Lyla onto the stage."Damn! Dad looks incredibly handsome," Cyrus remarked, impressed by Winston's youthful appearance."He might have overdressed for the occasion, don't you think? People might mistake him for getting married a second time," Silas commented, his gaze fixed on the stage with keen interest."It would have been his fifth wedding," Landon corrected while playing with Lauren's hand. He joked, "Not too bad. At least I can still count with one hand."He made a face and behaved himself when Mandy and Colene glared at him.Silas, feeling hungry, swiped a piece of dessert and sneaked it into his mouth when no one was looking. However, Rose, seated at another table, caught his sly move and playfully called him out, "Hey, why
"How I wish I could touch the dress!""The Taylor family's prestige is the only thing that could bring Sharon out of retirement. Winston Taylor's social status must be exceptionally high. On the other hand, I doubt Sharon would even consider making a dress, even if Mrs. Beckett begged her."Jasper widened his eyes and turned around to stare at Alyssa in disbelief. She was smiling softly. He belatedly realized that Alyssa was Sharon, another one of her many identities after Alexa!His breathing quickened, and he felt a jolt of electricity. How could a woman perfect her talent across multiple industries? Alyssa seemed like a superhuman to him.Alyssa sensed his intense gaze and turned to him. She was taken aback by his reddened eyes."What's with that look? Are you sick?" she taunted him heartlessly."I never thought that you were … Sharon," he croaked, still staring keenly at her."Why are you that surprised? This isn't your first encounter with Sharon," she said with a chuckle