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Novel Catalog
Chapter_28
Chapter 28
Alyssa returned to her office, the weight of the recent conversation still lingering in the air. Mia followed closely behind, her steps shaky as she spoke in a nervous rush.
“I—I’m so scared! Mr. Jasper is so handsome! And there’s this powerful aura around him! My cheeks were burning the moment I met him. D—Did I do well, Ms. Alyssa?”
Alyssa gave a small nod, her expression softening slightly. “You did great.” She handed Mia an envelope. “Take it. You’ve earned it.”
Mia hesitated for a moment, surprised by the weight of the envelope in her hands. “T—Thank you, Ms. Alyssa!” she stammered, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude.
At that moment, Sean stepped forward, holding a document. It was a confidentiality agreement. “I know you’re trustworthy, but it’s better to have an agreement for both parties’ protection,” Alyssa said with a faint smile. “Everything that happened today must stay between us. Unless I decide to disclose it myself, sharing any of this with others would breach the agreement.”
Mia, feeling the gravity of the situation, nodded silently before signing the papers. She promised to keep the details a secret before leaving the office.
Sean, who had been quietly observing, couldn’t help but voice his thoughts. “The rumor is that Jasper’s a decisive person. I can’t quite figure out what’s going on in his head. Don’t you think so, Ms. Alyssa?” He glanced over, expecting her to answer.
Alyssa was lost in her thoughts for a moment, but her attention snapped back to Sean. She gave a wry smile. “Mr. Jasper truly loves Ms. Gardner. He’s willing to humble himself for her.”
“I heard it’s his second marriage, and that he treated his first wife terribly. Now that Ms. Gardner is marrying him, I guess the first wife sowed the seeds of the future…” Sean said, trying to piece things together.
Alyssa’s gaze turned icy, and before Sean could finish his sentence, she slammed her hand on the table, causing him to flinch. He didn’t understand which part of his words had triggered her, but he could feel the tension in the room.
“M—Ms. Alyssa, now that the deal with Jasper failed, what’s your next move?” Sean asked, eager to change the subject.
“Wait,” Alyssa replied curtly, her expression hardening.
“Wait? What do you mean?” Sean asked, puzzled.
“I’ll bide my time,” Alyssa said, her lips curling into a sly smile. “The pressure will eventually force Gardner Group to address the quality issue themselves. When that happens, they’ll try to salvage their reputation. And when that day comes, I’ll strike.”
Alyssa’s words were cold and calculated, the full extent of her plan clear in her mind. She continued, “Do you think Jasper will help them then?”
“He won’t,” Alyssa answered confidently. She glanced at the painting that Jasper had praised earlier. A mix of emotions flickered in her eyes. “He was used. He didn’t know the truth about them. But now that the truth is out, there’s no way he’ll support them anymore. Besides, he only cares about Liana. The rest doesn’t matter to him.”
Her voice softened as she reflected. “Jasper went to great lengths for Liana. He even put his pride aside and climbed ten flights of stairs just to meet me. He’ll do anything for her.” Alyssa’s gaze grew cold, though, as she remembered a different moment. “But when I needed something as simple as a glass of water… he couldn’t even manage that.”
Alyssa thought back to that day, the memory still bitter. “Jasper, my stomach hurts. Could you… get me a glass of warm water?” she had asked, hoping for just a small gesture of care.
“I have something urgent to attend to. Ask Mrs. Rosie for it,” Jasper had replied, leaving her with no choice but to suffer in silence.
Her eyes narrowed with disdain as she recalled it. “Jasper Beckett, I hope you rot yourself with Liana forever!” she muttered under her breath.
Meanwhile, in the car on the way to KS World Hotel, Jasper’s mood matched the weather. What had started as a drizzle was now a full-blown thunderstorm. His thoughts were just as turbulent.
Xavier, sitting beside him, broke the silence. “You’ve dealt with difficult people before without a second thought. Why does this situation seem different?”
Jasper’s mind wandered back to his younger days, the version of Alyssa he remembered. She was different now, a stranger almost, yet some small part of her remained familiar. He couldn’t quite place it, but the feeling gnawed at him.
“I want you to investigate the issue between Gardner Group and Taylor Group. Find out where Andrew and Dylan are. Report back to me with anything you find,” Jasper ordered, trying to push the thoughts aside.
Back at Beckett Group, the pressure of his responsibilities weighed on him as he prepared for a meeting. He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples in frustration.
His thoughts turned to Liana. He had hoped that after Alice’s departure, his relationship with her would flourish. He had finally found a place he thought he could call “home.” But now, everything seemed uncertain.