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Chapter_71
Liana’s tear-soaked face was the picture of vulnerability, as if she had been betrayed by the world itself. But in Alyssa’s eyes, it was a performance—a carefully orchestrated play for attention, designed to paint her as the villain and Jasper as the hero. The more Liana sobbed, the more Alyssa’s anger bubbled beneath the surface. She had seen this act before—Sophia had used the same tricks, playing the innocent, wronged woman to perfection. Now, Liana was following in her footsteps, hoping to get the same result.
Alyssa could feel the sting of injustice, but her composure remained unshaken. She observed the scene unfold with a sharp, almost clinical detachment. Every tear Liana shed, every sob, felt like a slap in the face. The wound on Liana’s wrist, though real, was nothing more than a tool in her desperate grasp for sympathy. And now, the crowd was eating it up.
Jasper’s concern for Liana was palpable, but Alyssa could see it for what it was—genuine at first, but laced with uncertainty. He was trying to piece the situation together, to understand why Liana had inflicted harm on herself. He cared for her, yes, but there was no denying that the cracks in their relationship were becoming more evident with each passing moment.
The crowd around them shifted uneasily as the scene escalated, some of them exchanging whispered comments. Phones were out, capturing every moment, eager to document the spectacle. Liana’s performance was flawless—her pitiful voice, her trembling form—yet there was something off about it. It was too perfect, too rehearsed.
Alyssa took a step forward, the cold, icy calm of her demeanor almost unnatural. She could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her, the tension between her and Jasper growing. He was lost in his concern for Liana, but Alyssa knew the truth. Liana was playing a game, and Alyssa was done being a pawn in it.
With one final, deliberate step, Alyssa broke through the small crowd that had gathered. Her presence seemed to quiet the room, her aura commanding attention. She didn’t need to raise her voice. Her mere presence was enough to turn heads and shift the focus.
“Jasper,” Alyssa’s voice cut through the air, cool and unwavering, “you might want to take a closer look at how this ‘victim’ got her wound. Because it’s not as innocent as you think.”
Her words hung in the air like a challenge, daring Jasper to question the story Liana had so carefully crafted. He looked up sharply, his gaze locking with Alyssa’s, but there was no hint of understanding in his eyes—only confusion and frustration.
“Do you really think she’s that innocent?” Alyssa continued, her gaze now fixed on Liana, who was still clutching her wrist dramatically. “She did this to herself to manipulate you, to paint me as the villain. And you’re falling for it.”
The room fell silent. The words echoed in the air, and for a moment, it seemed as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for Jasper’s reaction.
Liana, though, wasn’t going to let go of her victim role that easily. She clung to Jasper, burying her face in his chest, playing the part of the helpless woman in need of saving. “Jasper, you have to believe me,” she whimpered. “She’s the one who did this. She hates me, and she’s always trying to come between us. She—”
Alyssa cut her off, her patience wearing thin. “You’re lying. You’ve been lying this entire time.”
Jasper’s expression faltered, the first crack in his façade appearing. He looked down at Liana, still cradled in his arms, and then back at Alyssa. His brow furrowed as he searched for answers, the tension between the three of them palpable.
“Is that true, Liana?” Jasper asked, his voice tight with disbelief.
Liana’s eyes flickered with panic for a brief moment, but she quickly masked it with fresh tears. She trembled in his arms, clinging to him like a drowning woman. “Jasper, you don’t believe her, do you? You know I would never hurt myself like this. It’s Alice—she’s the one who’s been tormenting me, trying to tear us apart.”
Jasper hesitated, his eyes shifting from Liana to Alyssa, as if weighing the words he had just heard. But before he could speak, a voice broke through the tension.
“Enough, Liana,” Rosaline interjected, her voice smooth, but with a hint of concern. “This has gone on long enough. Jasper, we need to get her treated. Come on, darling, let’s go.” She tried to pull Liana away from Jasper, but Liana clung to him desperately.
But Alyssa wasn’t finished. Not by a long shot. “Jasper, if you want the truth, I’m happy to show you. You just have to open your eyes.”
She turned her back on them, signaling that she was done with this farce. But as she walked away, her thoughts were already racing. The battle wasn’t over. If anything, it had just begun.