Sean was a little upset at being temporarily demoted from Alyssaâs rightâhand man to a door guard.
After the door was closed, Alyssa took a seat on the couch. She crossed her legs and placed her left arm on the armrest. Her right arm was casually placed on her thigh in a graceful and regal posture that screamed boss. Landon couldnât take his eyes off her.
Swallowing hard, he glued his eyes to Alyssa. Her vibe was something else, and he was further drawn into her.
âHeh, I knew you wouldnât kick me out, given how close we areâ¦â He squinted and was about to lean closer when she stopped him with a frosty tone. âLandon Harper, are my words a joke to you?â
He froze up and looked confused.
âAlice White tolerated your behavior because you helped her out. Alyssa Taylor is differentâshe does not have the patience to entertain your bullshit.â
The distant look in her eyes suggested that they were strangers. It gave him the goosebumps.
Feeling indignant, he took two steps forward, only to freeze up again under her sharp gaze.
âYou may be Alyssa Taylor, but you were once Alice White! Does our relationship mean nothing once you took on a different name?â
âAlice White is no more after her divorce from Jasper.â She smirked. âBe it you or Jasper, none of have the right to be part of my life. Mr. Harper, I know youâre a playboy. It would be better to stay true to yourself instead of waiting for someone who would never fall for you.â
you âDid I do something wrong? You have to tell me! Iâll change for you!â His eyes reddened from the anxiety.
âThereâs one more thing.â The look in Alyssaâs eyes hardened. âDo you really think I had no idea.
what you had done to Lauren on Grandpaâs birthday?â
The color drained from his face as he replayed the scenes from that night. Surrounded by the grassy scent of the shrubs, he grabbed Laurenâs exposed shoulders after the strap of her white dress slid off.
The smooth feel and the rosy complexion were calling out to him. She planted her clumsy kisses +15 BONOS He would have taken Lauren right there if she were not Jasperâs sister and if he did not already have a crush on Alyssa.
He was never one to suppress his desires. Like any average man, he would never turn down the advances of a woman.
âYour debauchery is none of my business, but I care a lot for Lauren. I see her as a sister. Sheâs an innocent young lady, and I will not let anyone hurt her.â
âNo, Lyse, itâs a misunderstanding!â Landon was sweating profusely as he struggled to explain himself. âShe consumed the aphrodisiac by accident that night. I just⦠just..
âYou just wanted to provide her some relief?â
He had nothing to say. It seemed that he had dug himself into a hole by explaining.
âYou were on the grounds of the Beckett residence and could have informed anyone in the family.
It was not your place to do anything to Lauren.â She gave him a look of mockery. âIt is what it is. Is the son of the Harper family too afraid to admit to his mistakes?â
âThis is unfair! She was the one who kissed and hugged me. I didnât do anything to her!â Landon was despairing. There seemed to be no way for him to clear his name.
She waved at him impatiently. âLandon, Lauren is living in a different world than us. She is pitiful.
and vulnerable. You are too used to your ways. You had no idea that you might easily ruin her, even though that was not a big deal to you.â
His shoulders slumped when he learned that it was futile to explain himself. Alyssa had labeled him as a playboy. She was not wrong, but he did not want to be perceived in this manner by his crush.
Perhaps a playboy like him shouldnât have turned over a new leaf. His attempt to change his ways.
had only resulted in heartbreak.
âI still have work to do. Please leave. Oh, if you show up at my office without an appointment next time, I will get the security to kick you out. Sean, please see the guest out!â
âLyse!â Landon anxiously approached her in a Hail Mary attempt to save his dying relationship.
with her.
When he inched closer to her, he heard a sharp noise. She had pressed an intricate but