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Novel Catalog
Chapter_16
“Oh my, who’s sitting next to that beauty?” Landon asked, raising an eyebrow with mischievous curiosity. “Isn’t that Jonah, the president of Belbanks’ KS Group?”
He chuckled, clearly amused. “Jonah, known for leading a virtuous life, never stepping foot in places like this. What’s he doing here tonight?”
Jasper and Landon, not immediately recognizing Jonah, exchanged a glance. Among Alyssa’s brothers, Jonah and Silas were nearly identical in appearance—so much so that anyone unfamiliar with them could easily confuse the two.
Landon’s eyes gleamed as he watched Alyssa’s interaction with Jonah. “Damn, I’m jealous. A woman like that should be mine. What does Jonah have to offer her?”
The words seemed to grow louder in Jasper’s ears, making his chest tighten. He couldn’t shake the feeling that everything about her smile, the one she used to save only for him, was now given so easily to another man. It sent a sting through him, raw and unforgiving.
“Enough talk, I’ll claim her for myself tonight. She may be Jonah’s woman now, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get in the game.” Landon’s voice dropped into a more suggestive tone, his desires apparent.
Jasper snapped, his anger simmering beneath the surface. “Don’t even think about it. She’s my wife.”
Landon’s playful demeanor faltered, his eyes widening in surprise. “Wait, she’s your wife? I thought you two were over…”
“My ex-wife,” Jasper corrected through gritted teeth, the weight of those words heavier than he expected.
“Wait, what?” Landon’s voice rose in disbelief. “She’s the same rigid, unromantic woman you used to be with? Damn, are you blind? She’s a beauty—way more stunning than Liana! Are you sure you didn’t mess this up?”
Jasper shot Landon a cold look, his eyes icy with irritation. Landon, sensing he’d crossed a line, sheepishly stuck out his tongue.
“Fine, fine. I’ll shut up now,” he muttered, only to turn around and realize Jasper had already stormed out of the room.
Downstairs, Alyssa, now slightly tipsy, smiled warmly at her second brother, Silas. She had taken a few too many drinks, and the alcohol flushed her cheeks a deeper red. Silas, ever protective, noticed and frowned.
“Lyse, are you okay?” he asked, concern lining his voice.
Alyssa waved her hand, brushing off his worries with a playful grin. “One more round, Silas! Let’s roll the dice.”
Despite her claims, Silas remained vigilant, but just then, his phone buzzed with an urgent call from work. He gave Alyssa an apologetic glance. “Lyse, stay here. I have to take this. I won’t be long.”
She smiled and nodded, her expression carefree. “Sure thing. Take your time.”
As soon as Silas stepped away, the men nearby began to circle like sharks, drawn to Alyssa’s beauty and the alluring air she projected. She barely noticed their advances as her eyes lazily scanned the group, silently judging. Too short, too thin, too plain. None of them compared to her ex-husband.
But the memories of Jasper, the man who once had her heart, were bittersweet. He had betrayed her trust, and now she couldn’t help but wonder if he ever truly loved her. Her gaze fell, somewhat lost in thought, but then something caught her attention.
A group of young men at a nearby table was laughing, egging each other on as they watched a man pour drinks for a woman. Alyssa’s sharp eyes caught something even more disturbing—one of the men had slipped something into the drink before passing it off to Dylan.
Her blood boiled, the anger rising in her chest like a wildfire. Without a second thought, she stood up and strode toward them.
“Hey, pretty lady!” one of the men called out, a sleazy grin on his face as he ogled her.
Dylan, noticing Alyssa’s approach, dismissed the woman in his arms with a quick glance, his attention now entirely on the stunning woman walking toward him.
Alyssa smiled, though her eyes burned with fury. “It looks like you’re having fun. Mind if I join?” Her tone was both suggestive and deadly.
“Of course, young lady,” Dylan responded, licking his lips with a grin that oozed false charm. “We’ll do whatever you want.”
Alyssa didn’t break eye contact as she reached for the drugged drink. The crowd fell silent, sensing something was about to happen. “Well then,” she said coldly, “Finish your drink.”
A tense silence followed, as everyone understood what she was implying. The drugged drink was dangerous—only a fool would drink it.
But Alyssa didn’t wait for Dylan’s answer. Her eyes narrowed as she lifted her hand, and in one swift motion, she splashed the contents of the glass right into Dylan’s face.
The crowd gasped, the woman beside him screeching in shock as she quickly scrambled away. Dylan stood frozen, his face drenched in the liquid, the smugness from earlier replaced by a stunned expression. The room was suddenly silent, every eye on Alyssa.