After returning from Yoarkley, Xavier constantly paid close attention to Alyssa and KS World Hotelâs activities.
Unfortunately for Jasper, Alyssa hadnât done a single thing moving forward since that day. She was still busy managing the hotel, not even stepping out of Solana City once.
Jasper gazed outside his window, brows wrinkled in thought.
Wasnât Alyssa worried?
Adaâs wedding was right around the corner. Or had she secretly given up on hiring Alexa for this project?
The rose garden affair, Sophiaâs arrest, and the Verdane Valley project being snatched out of his hands had slowly instilled a sense of apprehension in Jasper toward her.
Jasper couldnât help but curse at himself for fearing Alyssa after their divorce.
Just then, the phone on his desk rang.
âMr. Jasper, Mr. Landon is here for you.â
âHave him come inside.â
Landon strode into his office like he owned the place, then lounged on his couch.
âHow many times do I have to tell you to not come over here without anything important to tell me? Iâm not as carefree as you are.â Jasper didnât even look up at Landon, only quickly flipping through the documents on his table.
âTsk. Youâre not some warlord busy planning your next move. Lighten up a little.
âActually, you do resemble those warlords my mom was watching a documentary about recently.
Theyâre heartless, selfish pricks. Youâd fit in.â
âThe door is right there if you have nothing better to do.â
âNow that Zoeâs back home, Momâs inviting you over for dinner.â
âThanks, but no thanks. Iâm busy with Adaâs proposal.â
âHow long has it been since you saw your godmother? Did you know she wanted to cook for you first thing after returning home from her overseas treatment? Are you seriously going to reject her?â
Landon scowled. âShe even got all the ingredients for that dish you liked. Imagine how disappointed sheâd Jasper pursed his lips. âAlright, fine. Iâll go.â
âThere we go!â Landon smacked his leg excitedly.
Jasper recalled how things had transpired at the National Theater-how Zoe had been so touchy-feely that it made Jasper immensely uncomfortable.
They used to hold hands when Zoe was 10. He was only a few years older than her then. Back then, he saw her as an actual kid sister, especially since she was Landonâs sister.
But things had changed now that they were all adults. While she might still be naive, he couldnât afford to do as they did before.
âIs Zoe â¦â
Just then, a knock on the door interrupted Jasper.
âCome in.â
âMr. Jasper, Iâve gathered the information you requested about Madam and Jameson Schmidtâs connections and their familiesâ relations!â Xavier rushed in, his excitement evident in his voice.
Upon hearing that, Landon blinked incredulously but said nothing.
Jasper, on the other hand, nearly snapped his pen in two.
âOh, uh ⦠I see that youâre occupied. Then, Iâll take my leave first, â Xavier said awkwardly, slowly stepping back outside.
âStay. Come on, Iâm no stranger.â Landon grinned, then snagged an orange from the coffee table. He peeled it with his fingers while eyeing Jasper from the corner of his eye.
Landon continued, âWhatâs this then? Finally deciding to get her back?â
âEat your orange and shut up. Donât ask what you shouldnât know.â
âShouldnât know? I was the one who courted Alyssa from the start, so donât give me that attitude!â
Landon chewed on an orange slice.
âSo what?â Jasper gazed at him curiously. âShe married me. Also, she shut you out the door.â
âHey, donât go rubbing that in my face now. Anyway, youâve divorced her!â
Landon had a strong urge to smack Jasper in the face with his orange. âIf you were capable of divorcing herself, why rely on Xavier to do the dirty work?â