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Chapter_60
Jasper’s expression hardened as Landon’s words sank in. The mention of his ex-wife—Sophia—stirred something deep within him. It had been years since their relationship ended, but the sting of betrayal and unresolved emotions still lingered. His hands clenched at his sides, but he kept his voice steady, despite the growing tension.
“Don’t bring her into this, Landon,” Jasper said, his tone cold and firm. “I’ve moved on, and so should you.”
Landon raised his hands in mock surrender, realizing he had overstepped. “Alright, alright, I’m just concerned about you, man. You know how things used to be with her. You’ve been different ever since… well, you know.”
Jasper gave a sharp nod, turning his attention back to the gathering. The reporters outside were starting to whisper amongst themselves, their interest piqued by the drama unfolding between the two men. Jasper’s mind briefly wandered to the Gardner family and their struggles—particularly Liana, who had been circling around him like a hawk, hoping he’d finally commit. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that his connection with Liana wasn’t what people thought it was.
He had been avoiding her calls and her presence at the event on purpose, but he couldn’t bring himself to say why. Maybe it was because he couldn’t stand the weight of their relationship anymore. Or maybe it was because of Alyssa—his real anchor, the one he trusted without reservation.
Before he could get lost in his thoughts, Xavier, who had been standing quietly beside him, gave him a subtle nudge.
“Looks like the Gardners are in the spotlight,” Xavier said, his voice low. “And not in a good way. Rosaline and Liana are getting grilled by the press.”
Jasper’s eyes flicked over to the entrance where the Gardners stood. He could see Rosaline’s tight-lipped smile as she fended off the reporters’ questions, and Liana’s flustered expression.
“Let them,” Jasper muttered under his breath. “They’re always trying to make something out of nothing.”
But even as he said that, something gnawed at him. The public questioning of their relationship, the media’s obsession with their every move—it all felt like a reminder that he wasn’t just some wealthy heir to a conglomerate; he was part of an intricate web of power plays and family drama that he couldn’t escape. And in that tangled mess, Liana’s desperation to marry him felt more like a trap than a future.
Back at the entrance, Rosaline kept her composure as best as she could while the reporters bombarded her with questions. She could feel the heat of their gazes, the flashing cameras capturing every detail of her expressions. This wasn’t the kind of attention she wanted—not in this context.
“We’re just here for the charity auction,” she reiterated, trying to steer the conversation away from the financial troubles of the Gardner family. “We’re dedicated to supporting great causes, and our priority is on the collection of rare artifacts for charity.”
But the more she tried to deflect, the more aggressive the reporters became, sensing an opportunity to pry deeper into the cracks of the Gardner family’s reputation.
“What about the rumors about your daughter’s broken engagement with Mr. Beckett? The rumors are that Mr. Beckett has distanced himself from the Gardner family. Can you confirm?” one of the reporters asked, leaning forward with a probing stare.
Liana felt the heat rise to her face as she prepared to step in and defend her mother. But before she could say a word, Rosaline squeezed her hand and gave her a subtle shake of the head. Liana understood—this wasn’t the time for confrontation.
Rosaline plastered a smile on her face, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Liana and Mr. Jasper’s relationship is just fine. These are nothing but rumors. Don’t believe everything you hear. We’ll let our actions speak for themselves.”
But even as she said it, her mind raced with anxiety. Was it true that Jasper had distanced himself from them? The speculation was hurting her family, and worse, it was becoming public knowledge. She couldn’t afford for this to spiral out of control, especially not at a high-profile event like this one.
Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Jasper entering the auction hall with Landon and Xavier. He looked unfazed, almost detached, as he exchanged a few words with Landon. A pang of disappointment shot through her chest. How could he stand there so calmly while her family’s name was being dragged through the mud?
As the reporters continued to press her, Rosaline forced a smile, but inside, she knew something had changed. Jasper was slipping further away from them, and she could feel it in her bones. The question was—how far would he go?