A car honked furiously in the distance, its headlights glaring at Lauren as she stood frozen in the middle of the street. Fear gripped her, rendering her unable to move.
The vehicle rushed toward her, and in her terrified state, she shut her eyes tightly.
âLauren, watch out!â
Just then, Landon ran out into the street, diving straight for Lauren and pulling her out of harmâs way at the very last second.
Before they fell onto the pavement, he used his body to shield her fall, his shoulder slamming into hard rock. Pain shot through his entire arm, nearly making him cry out.
The car driver also swerved to the other side of the road to avoid hitting Lauren, ramming right into a couple of decorative flowerbeds. Luckily, he was unhurt.
Landon was about to ask if Lauren was okay when she clambered out of his grasp and ran off.
âHey! Hey, Laurie! Come back, goddammit!â Landon nearly choked himself with how upset he was. He couldnât help but spat under his breath, âWhat an ungrateful brat!â, The Berenike Hotel lost their chance to shine tonight, thanks to Alyssa. The closing ceremony was a meager affair, leaving everyone with low expectations of the hotel.
Landon instructed his secretary to ensure news of the car accident didnât spread out. He didnât want to upset his sister or mother.
Tonight, the only thing on Zoeâs mind was still Alyssa. After the evening ended, she spent the night with Betty in the bar lounge, venting and downing drink after drink.
âFuck! I knew Jasper was still in love with that bitch!â Zoe slammed her shot glass onto the counter. âIf he loved her so much, then why the hell did he divorce her in the first place?â
âI donât understand it either, Zoe, Betty sighed. âAlyssa was like a maid in the house when she was married to my brother, always taking care of every little thing related to him, trying to win his affection.
âDid you know she cooked all our meals for us for three years? Three years! I wouldâve collapsed on my first try. But she went and did that for three whole years!
âI donât understand why Jasper never saw how hard she tried and turned to Liana instead. He went and honestly-â
She sighed again, the wine lowering her inhibitions. âIâm beginning to think that heâs just blind. Heâs as blind as a fucking bat.â
Zoeâs expression grew even more menacing. She sneered, âAre you standing up for her, Betty? Do you miss Alyssa being your sister-in-law?â
âWhat?â Realizing she had misspoken, Betty gave an awkward chuckle. âNo, no, of course not. Iâm analyzing the situation for you.
âI donât know why Jasper is behaving like this after the divorce. Is this what they mean by realizing how much someone means to you after you lose them?â
Zoe gritted her teeth, a dark and obsessive need for possessing Jasper churning in her gut. âI donât buy it.
Jasperâs not in love with Alyssa Taylor! If he were, they wouldnât be fucking divorced after three years of marriage! Heâs just envious because sheâs doing better without him!â
She then twirled her hair around her fingers, saying, âMeanwhile, I have known Jasper for years.
Alyssa could never compare to me. Iâm sure he still cares about me. Heâs just blinded by that whore, Alyssa!â
Betty grimaced but said nothing. Something was definitely wrong with Zoe, but she couldnât say anything just yet. After all, she still needed Zoeâs help to marry Landon!
âWe need to find a way to get Ada on our side. Betty, we need to help Jasper win this. Iâll help you,â
Zoe decided. Her bloodshot eyes narrowed as she recalled how Alyssa had given âRagnarokâ to Ada.
Zoe added, âItâs just a fucking brooch. Alexa has way more designs than this. If she can get her hands on one, then I can too!â