Chapter 360: Chapter 360

“What the hell? She scared the shit out of me.”

“Jeez. Isn’t she from the Harper family? Why was she so rude? Doesn’t she know any manners?”

Zoe had always been accustomed to getting her way, both at home and abroad, whether it involved throwing a tantrum or making outright demands.

She had vented some of her current frustration and anger just like that, especially when thinking about what Jasper had said to her.

Now that she was back in the country, in front of all these guests who were part of Solana City’s upper echelon, she realized that she should reconsider how she portrayed herself in public. 1 Zoe cleared her throat, feigning composure. She then began playing Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.

Having graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in Yoarkley had its benefits.

The music flowed effortlessly with each stroke of her fingers on the keys, allowing her earlier outburst to fade into the background of everyone’s minds.

Betty stormed over from the back of the hotel to her mother in the event hall, screeching, “Mom! Lauren is here!”

“What?” Sophia cried, “Where?”

“I saw her with Landon earlier. He touched her head and even gave her his coat!” Betty’s eyes were nearly red with seething resentment.

She continued, “Do you really think she’s dumb, Mom? She’s a whore, that’s what she is! Hiding behind that fake innocent mask of hers. She’s already had her eyes set on Landon, Mom! That bitch wants to snatch him away from me!” (2 Sophia squeezed her arm. “Keep those filthy words out of your mouth, Betty Beckett! Where are all the manners and etiquette I taught you?! Lauren is your sister and my daughter. Do not insult her like this ever again!”

Betty gnawed angrily on her lip, suspecting that her mother was likely making excuses to avoid facing the fact that she had given birth to a fool!

“What do I do now, Mom?” she cried, clinging to her mother’s arm. “First Alyssa and now Lauren!

Landon never liked me in the first place. I don’t have a chance anymore now!”

“Don’t worry. Lauren won’t get in your way. She wouldn’t even think of it that way. Tell Xavier to find Lauren later and send her home.”

Sophia honestly didn’t think this was a big deal. She had tightly controlled both her daughters throughout the years. In her view, nothing could disrupt her plans.

Lauren’s mental state and condition would make it difficult to marry her off, but Sophia would still find a prominent match for her. All the better if that family could benefit herself in return for all the trouble she had gone through in raising Lauren.

“This Harper girl has quite the temper, hasn’t she?” Sophia remarked casually as she watched Zoe perform on stage.

“To be honest, Mom, her temper is pretty awful about 95% of the time!”

Betty’s relationship with Zoe was purely transactional, lacking any genuine depth or sincerity, so she saw no reason to conceal her thoughts from her mother.

She added, “Compared to Liana, she’s like a whole atomic bomb.”

“Good.” Sophia’s eyes were sharp.

“What? Why …”

“A fiery temper means she won’t hide her motives too deeply, making it easier to manipulate her. She’s a straightforward girl, really.

“She’s been pampered and spoiled since she was young, never facing any hardship in life. All she wants is to be with Jasper, although she does exhibit a possessive streak …”

Sophia then scoffed. “Unlike Liana, who wouldn’t hesitate to stab you in the back right after professing her sincerity.”

Just then, the hall doors swung open.

Zoe continued to play with the symphony, oblivious that everyone’s attention had shifted to the newly arrived guests.

Lauren walked in with Landon by her side, her steps small and afraid.

“Who is that with Mr. Harper? I’ve never seen her before,” some of the more curious guests chirped up.

“Probably a new fling. He goes through women like we go through shoes. I heard the longest he’s dated someone was one month”

“She’s quite pretty, almost innocent-looking. I thought he preferred the sexy, model-esque ones. Has he grown tired of them?”

“I must say, that girl is prettier than both the Harper girl and Betty Beckett. You guys just don’t understand. This new girl is a hidden gem, not one of those snobby, wealthy types you find everywhere.”

“Well, well. It looks like Mr. Harper has better taste in women than Mr. Jasper then. She looks far more trustworthy. She won’t be betraying Mr. Harper anytime soon…”

Betty’s face had turned an ugly shade of red as she watched Landon and Lauren enter together while overhearing the salacious gossip around her.

Meanwhile, Sophia was looking quite sickly.