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Chapter_45
The tension in the air was thick, with every word exchanged carrying weight and intention. Jonah’s protective instincts for Lyse were clear, and Winston’s care for his daughter, though masked by his stern demeanor, was evident. It was a family bound by tradition, rivalry, and, most of all, a deep sense of loyalty. But as the conversation shifted to Silas answering Jasper’s call, it became clear that the Beckett-Taylor rivalry was far from over.
Silas, irritated by Jasper’s tone, wasted no time in reminding him of the real villain in the situation—the one who had first used dirty tactics against Alice. His frustration spilled out in his sharp words. Silas’s protective streak, especially when it came to Alice, made him fiercely defensive, and he made it clear that no amount of begging would soften his resolve. It was a personal matter, and Silas was ready to take action, no matter the cost.
Jasper’s anger and frustration simmered in the silence that followed the call. He had spent years in the business world, able to navigate complex situations with precision and tact. Yet, Silas’s words had rattled him in a way he hadn’t expected. His grip on the phone tightened as his mind raced, trying to process the overwhelming amount of information coming at him. The mysterious case files on Jonah’s siblings and the limited information he could uncover about him only made the situation more complicated. The tangled web of family connections and secrets was more than just business—it was personal.
Meanwhile, Alyssa’s evening took a much more serene turn. The sight of her walking down the stairs, fresh from a bath and with a beauty mask on her face, created an atmosphere of calm in stark contrast to the storm Jasper was facing. Alyssa’s relaxed demeanor, contrasted with the anxiety of dealing with business and family politics, was a reminder of the different worlds they lived in.
Sean, ever attentive, was worried about Alyssa’s comfort, but her playful banter with him revealed a more vulnerable side to her character. Her casual suggestion for him to change into something more comfortable felt like an invitation to ease the tension, not just for her, but for both of them. Her slight discomfort in even mentioning Jasper’s name spoke volumes about her feelings toward him. Despite their distance, the memory of him, his habits, and the passion she knew was buried beneath his icy exterior seemed to still have a hold on her.
As Sean noticed her flushed cheeks, it was a subtle reminder that no matter how much Alyssa tried to distance herself, the emotions she had for Jasper were far from gone. The scene between them—Alyssa in her bubble bath and Sean trying to be a caring presence—felt like a brief, almost innocent moment of reprieve from the chaotic world they all inhabited.
But underneath it all, the weight of their past interactions and the lingering unresolved tension between Alyssa and Jasper hung in the air like an unspoken truth, one that neither of them could easily escape.