Jasper tightened the grip on his phone. "Lyse, I need to answer Landon's call.""Go ahead," Alyssa gently said. Jasper had always been transparent with his calls in front of her; there were no secrets between them. But Alyssa understood that this call was important for both Landon and Jasper.Jasper rose and made his way to the living room. Standing by the window, he answered with concern, "Landon, how are you holding up? Are you okay?""Jasper." After a prolonged pause, Landon's voice came through, strained as if he hadn't had water in days. "I miss Lauren so much…"Jasper felt a pang in his chest. "Don't worry. Lauren is with Grandpa. We're taking care of her. She's safe.""Jasper, can I still be with Lauren? Can I still marry her?" Landon's question held a desperate tone.Jasper's throat constricted; he was momentarily speechless. While he knew Landon was deeply in love with Lauren, he couldn't predict if Lauren would choose him."If I can resolve things with the Harper Gro
Just then, Ben called.Jasper promptly answered, "What's the matter, Mr. Gorham?""Mr. Jasper, is it a good time to speak?" Ben said."Go ahead, Mr. Gorham. What is it?""Mr. Javier arrived this morning and took Ms. Lauren back to Seaview Manor."A shadow crossed Jasper's face. "I thought Grandpa wanted Lauren's company a little while more. Why was her time with him cut short?""Mr. Javier went to the study room with Mr. Newton. I'm not sure what they talked about, but they ended up fighting."Ben sounded worried. "Ms. Lauren heard everything. She had always been the most obedient in the family, so she agreed to follow Mr. Javier back."As a secretary, I can't intervene, but I hope you'll give Ms. Lauren some extra attention when you return tonight."Jasper sensed Ben's implication. "Did you catch what Dad and Grandpa were arguing about?""I... I think it was about Ms. Lauren's wedding. Mr. Newton and Mr. Javier clashed over it, leading to the confrontation. But I don't know
Betty's rage surged like a rabid animal as she barked at Lauren, her fury palpable.But as Lauren glanced up, she noticed something she hadn't before—the hearing aids tucked behind Betty's hair, previously concealed from view. "Bitch... I'm deaf now. You won't get away with this before I'm gone. I'll make sure you suffer the same fate!" Betty's words dripped with venom as she lashed out, her arm poised to strike at Lauren's face.Yet, to Betty's surprise, Lauren, once her victim, deftly evaded her attack, delivering a crisp slap in retaliation—the first time the latter had ever raised a hand against the former.The passing maid, initially startled, couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction—Lauren had finally asserted herself.Betty scowled as she held her face.It was the first time Lauren had ever laid a hand on someone. It didn't hurt, but it shattered Betty's ego."You are not my sister, Betty." Lauren clenched her fists and shook her head lightly. "You never were from
Betty's relentless mocking made Lauren pale considerably. Her delicate frame shuddered even more. Lauren shut her eyes tightly, wringing her teddy bear until it was twisted out of shape. Only by doing this could she force herself not to think about those haunting memories."You couldn't become Mrs. Harper, but soon you will be Mrs. Hodgson, the mayor's daughter-in-law. It seems like congratulations are in order."Betty flipped her hair, acting disgustingly pretentious like Sophia. "However, I'm not getting any wedding gifts for you.""If you don't shut your mouth right now, I'm going to make your right ear completely deaf." Jasper's rage was evident from his scowl. "But it's the truth, isn't it? She's going to marry into the Hodgson family. There's no point yelling at me like this."Jasper stalked toward her menacingly like a prowling lion."Ah! Help! Dad, save me! Jasper is going to kill me!" Betty threw away all decorum and screamed at the top of her lungs."That's enough! Wh
Lauren curled up in a dust-filled corner. It was the height of summer, but she was so cold that she shivered.At this time, Freddy, who had been standing aside, quietly walked up to her. He took off his jacket and knelt to cover her shoulders with it.She was about to say "thank you" when she realized that he was blatantly staring at her chest.Her small, developing breasts could be seen through her soaked shirt, and even her white bra was visible!In her panic, she screamed weakly and hugged her chest with her shuddering arms. "Lauren, let me touch them for a bit, alright? Just a bit, no one will know."Freddy said those disgusting words with such sincerity, like a devil's manipulative persuasion.When she recalled those memories, it still plunged Lauren into a deep pit of depression and fear."I know why you want to marry off Lauren so desperately."Jasper's fists clenched tightly, and his knuckles turned white. "If you were angry, you could have taken it out on me. As a pa
"You don't agree?" Javier's expression darkened coldly. His menacing glare was devoid of any warmth or affection a father would have for his son. "Jasper, I am not dead yet, but are you already thinking of taking over my duties?"If I didn't give you the chance, would you even be able to become the president of Beckett Group? It seems like you've become arrogant. Do you really think that you achieved everything by your own merit?"Facing his father's insults, Jasper was more worried for Lauren than angry at his father.If Lauren really married into the Hodgson family, he couldn't imagine what kind of crazy things Landon would do after he found out.Perhaps he would spiral into depression. Perhaps he would be so crushed that he would never recover from his heartbreak.Lauren was not strong and brave like Alyssa, who would stand up for herself. She was the most obedient child among the siblings. She was gentle and weak, accepting whatever obstacles life threw at her without protest.
"Lauren, what in the world are you saying?" Jasper, who was usually calm and composed, reacted in shock. He placed his hands heavily on her shoulders. "Marriage is not child's play. This is a matter of your lifelong happiness!"Do you not know what kind of person Freddy is? Did you not see how he was acting intimately with Zoe? Aren't you worried that this might be a plot from Zoe to mess with you and Landon?"Lauren let him shake her shoulders as tears rolled in her eyes along with the shaking."Did you really fall out of love with Landon? Look into my eyes and tell me… do you really not love Landon anymore?" Jasper's brows knitted together tightly as he bombarded her with questions."Jasper, I'm a grown woman. I'm no longer the child who locked herself in her room all day, not daring to speak to anyone. I'm no longer the girl whose only companions were drawing blocks and dolls."Lauren's voice was soft, but her resolve was firm. "I know what I'm doing; I know what I want."Jasp
Landon's words dropped a bomb in the meeting room. Face reddened, Preston slammed his hand on the table and bellowed, "Landon Harper, are you kicking me out? Are you fucking asleep? You were a baby when I was working alongside your grandpa!"The uncle and nephew finally had a fallout as there were no outsiders around."Landon, don't cross the line!" Cornelius chastised his grandson, whom he deemed insane. "I know what's in your mind. You're just trying to avenge Lauren!"At the end of the day, you're a Harper and the president of the Harper Group. Your dad had contributed to the company's success too. How can you answer Bill if you make a mess in the company?"Besides, your Uncle Preston did not do anything wrong. Lauren has mental issues. Are you sure you can take care of her forever after you married her? You don't have that patience; you can never do it! You should end your relationship now rather than regretting it in the future.""Grandpa, I have just one question for you." L