Betty was chatting with a few acquaintances at Lianaâs birthday party.
âCongratulations, Betty. Youâll have a newsister-in-law soon,âMabel remarked with a smile.
âMore accurately, sheâll have a new sister-in-law âagain,'â Jessica joked.âAnyway, new is always better. I heard Ms. Gardner is the niece of Madam Sophia. Youâll be one big family soon. I bet you all will get along brilliantly.â
Betty faked a smile.
âGet along? What a joke!âBetty scoffedinwardly.
âI was told that Ms. Gardner and Mr.
Beckett are childhood sweethearts who have gone through a lot. I believe sheâs his true love because heâs marrying her right after his divorce.
âYour brotherâs really lucky in love. Whatabout you? When will you get yourself a boyfriend and get hitched?â
Hearing that, Betty scanned the venue passionately in an attempt to locate Landon.
Landon was in the presidential suite with Jasper. Looking smart in their suits, they sat in front of the gigantic glazed double doors overlooking the night view of Solana City.
Landon chose a co uture suit for the night, matching a white shirt with black pants. He wore a black leather choker with a golden rose charm on his slender neck, looking regal and sexy at the same time.
On the other hand, Jasper was dressed in an all-black ensemble. He matched his black shirt with a black tie, just like the usual. The gold dragon lapel pin was the highlight of his outfit, a symbol of his great taste and the superiority of a leader.
âGood heavens.â Landon couldnât holdback from commenting on Jasperâs outfit. âLook at your outfit.
People might thinkyou are attending a funeral.â
Frowning, Jasper joked, âYouâre not any better in that white shirt.â
âI realized that God is indeed fair. Heblessed you with good looks but cursed you with a mean mouth.
Itâs hard to be perfect.â
During the banter, Landon fixed his gaze on Jasperâs lapel pin. âHm? This looks exquisite. Can I borrow it later?â
Jasperâs eyes wavered before he turned down the request with a grim face. âNo way.â
âAw. We used to wear each otherâs boxers.Why are you upset over a lapel pin now? Youâre more selfish when youâre older!â
Xavier showed up at that moment.âMr.
Beckett, someone was sent by Ms. Gardner to remind us that the speech is about to start. She wants you at the ballroom to join her for the speech.â
âIâm not going.âJasper wore a deadpanlook in his eyes as he coldly turned down the request.
âOkay!Iâll relay the message!â Xavierâsbrows were wiggling from the excitement. Oddly, he derived a lot of satisfaction from Jasperâs rejection of Liana.
âUm, sheâs recently gone through arelapse and cut her wrists. Why would you trigger her after sheâs recovered? She might splatter blood all over you.âLandon narrowed his eyes and mocked Jasper.
âI cannot share the stage with her tonight.âJasperâs tone was unfeeling.
âWhy? You are her boyfriend.â
âIâve decided to break up with her.â
Landon appeared dumbstruck by the sudden news. Similarly, Xavier was close to screaming in shock after hearing the update.
âI have not told her out of considerationfor her condition.âJasper stared at the g round and said in determination, âIâll tell her when her condition has stabilized to minimize the shock. After all, she was my savior.â
Blinking, Landon seemed to have noticed something huge. He inched closer. His face loomed in front of Jasperâs eyes.
âSpit it out. Are you breaking up withLiana partly because you have fallen for Alyssa? Yes or no?â
Jasper felt a sharp and suffocating pain in his chest. Finally, he squeezed out a reply, âNo.â