The guests turned toward the voice and were stunned by who they saw.
Jonah Taylor smilingly wandered into the main hall accompanied by Sean. Alyssaâs eyes lit up with joy.
She almost blurted out his name aloud.
Jasperâs heart almost stopped at the sight of Jonah. His frosty eyes looked even more threatening at that moment. Alyssa seemed to have felt the change in him, as though she was standing right beside a walking iceberg.
She reflexively looked at Jasper and found him looking glum. A frightening storm was brewing in her eyes.
âPlease excuse me for running late,â Jonah said to Newton politely. He showed up in a special outfit that day, looking outstanding and gentlemanly in a highâneck top with a dark suit.
The ladies around him swooned at Jonah, thinking of marrying him or Jasper in their dreams. 1 âItâs not a problem. I am glad youâre here.â Newton smiled warmly at Jonah and treated him no differently, even though Jonah was Winstonâs son.
Alyssa felt relieved at Newtonâs reaction, for she initially thought that heâd mind Jonahâs presence.
âAlice, come over,â Jonah said as he reached out for Alyssa.
Sophia and Liana exchanged a look and smiled deviously. They successfully made Jonah show up because they wanted to see him fighting with Jasper over Alyssa. That would tarnish Alyssaâs reputation as well as expose her as an easy woman to Newton. They thought they could kill two birds with one stone.
âSure.â To their surprise, Alyssa happily went up to Jonah without hesitation.
On the other hand, Landon was dying of jealousy when his crush went back to her lover. He wondered if that was what it felt like to be a kept man. It was too torturous for him.
Jasperâs body jolted in shock as his eyes widened. He raised his arm a little and tightened his fists, not knowing exactly what he was grasping at. He sensed a bitter taste in his mouth.
âOh? Since when did you know Mr. Jonah? The two of you seem close too.â Newton was baffled.
âDad, you probably havenât heard about it. Alice is now his- Sophia was about to add fuel to the fire when Jonah cut her off.
He replied, âMr. Beckett Senior, thank you for taking good care of Alice in the last three years. She often talks about you and thinks of you as family. I will always remember your kindness to her.â
Everyone was shocked when Jonah wrapped an arm around Alyssaâs waist. The two looked like the main couple from a movie.
Jasper clenched his fists as fury twisted inside of him.
âSadly, Alice will stay with me. Sheâll be under the Taylor familyâs care. She might not be part of the Beckett family anymore, but she will always think fondly of you.â Jonah smiled softly. âYou will always be her beloved grandpa.â
No one had anything to say about his impeccable manners.
âAhâ¦â Newton came to a realization