Jasper lifted a brow as his expression darkened. Before this, he might have been a little moody, but he was truly angered at that moment.
Jasper was called to Javierâs study after he changed into a fresh outfit.
âDaddy! You have to help me out! Poor meâ¦â Betty hugged her dad and cried her heart out. Her tear -
stained face was full of injuries from her catfight with her two friends in the afternoon. Even her lips were chapped. She looked pitiable.
Seated on the couch, Javier hurriedly consoled his daughter. She looked like a mess, unlike her usual wellâpresented self. âJasperâs home. Iâll ask him about it.â
âThe scandal is getting out of hand. I got a few calls asking about Betty. I honestly didnât know what to say.â Sophia teared up upon mentioning her beloved daughter. âPeople are cursing Betty out online.
How can she ever show up in public? How will the other elites in Solana City think of us?â
âSophie, donât worry. I will not let them bully my daughter.â Frowning, Javier had a burning gaze in his eyes.
The door opened. Jasper wandered into the study with a flat expression.
âJasper, why didnât you take care of the video scandal? Arenât you too laidâback as the president?
Javier immediately stopped his son and berated him.
âThe Beckett Group has its PR and Legal Departments led by their respective directors.â Jasper was unruffled. He sounded calm. âI am a president, not a nanny. I will take over certain issues but not meddle in things that arenât under my purview.â
âAnd do you think this scandal isnât under your purview? Betty is your sister! Do you plan to watch as people harass her and slander her?â Sophia pressed against her chest with tears, as though sheâd faint at any moment.
âSophie, youâre weak. You shouldnât get emotional,â Javier quickly held her shoulders with a tender look. Two decades had passed, but Jasper still felt uneasy and suffocated whenever he saw the display of affection between Javier and Sophia.
Javier had not once mentioned Jasperâs mother in the last two decades. He did not even pay a visit to her grave. The poor woman, who loved him with every fiber of her being, was treated as though she had never existed in Javierâs life. The lack of acknowledgment hurt more than any feeling of resentment and hatred âIâm fine, Javier.â Sophia coughed softly in Javierâs arms. âI lost control of my temper and acted out I shouldnât have troubled Jasper with the issue After all, he must be very occupied as the group president.â
She added, âIâm just worried that he might hold a grudge against me, for I am not his biological mother. If thatâs why he is unwilling to help us out, you shouldnât blame him. I totally understand.â
Jasper was sick of Sophiaâs drama over the past twenty years. He wondered why Javier hadnât gotten tired of her.
âSophie, do not overthink. Whatever that rascal thinks, you will always be my wife, which makes you his mother!â
Sophia had successfully fanned the fire. The enraged Javier pointed a finger in Jasperâs unemotional face. âFigure out a solution right away! I need Betty to be removed from the trending topics, along with her videos! Youâll be liable if you fail to do so!â
âI have come up with a solution, which I told Betty about.â Jasper looked at his feet.
âDaddy, that was not a solution at all! Heâs going to send me to hell!â Betty jumped when she heard her name mentioned.
Stretching her neck, she grumbled, âHe wanted me to issue a public apology to that hotel employee!
Who is she to demand an apology from me? Why should I do that?â
She wailed, âBy the way, Alice White dropped by my store to create trouble. She slapped me in front of everyone! How am I supposed to ever show up in public?â
Sophia and Javier were stunned. âWhat? Alice slapped you?â
âLook at the slap marks on my face! Itâs real!â Betty pointed at her swollen face.
âThatâs outrageous! Jasper, did you marry a devil?â Sophia was furious to see her daughter bullied. A scowl crept onto her gentle face. âHow could she hit our Betty! I will sue her! I will not let her off the hook.â
âIt was Betty who wanted to hit Alice first. Alice was defending herself.â Jasper sounded unmoved and cold âSo, did you just admit that Alice has hit Betty?â
Jasper went silent, which proved that Betty was telling the truth.
âCall Alice right now! I want her to apologize to Betty. You havenât gone through the divorce proceedings with her, right? You must take time off tomorrow to file the divorce at the court! I do not want you to be associated with her in any wayâ Javier bellowed.
Jasper furrowed his brows. The divorce had initially been scheduled, but he felt uneasy after hearing Javierâs insulting remarks. Without thinking, he blurted out, âI will not.â