âGive it up. Itâs not going to happen,â Alyssa said firmly. âI wonât eat with you.â
Landon clucked his tongue. âWhy so harsh? Remember how I helped you teach Dylan a lesson? Think of this meal as thanks for that. Canât you do that?â
Alyssa smiled mockingly. âAs far as Iâm aware, Jasperâs the one who helped me out. Itâs inappropriate for you to take credit for something your best bud did.â
âHave I done anything to offend you, Ms. White? Why canât you give me a chance?â Landon looked her in the eye. âIs it because you already have Jonah? Does he have the guts to tell the world youâre his girlfriend? Because I do!â
âMr. Harper, it doesnât matter who came first or last when it comes to relationships. But having shame and morals does.â Alyssaâs simple sentence was enough to make Landon pale. âI may not have the best upbringing, but I do know what shame is.â
âWhen I married Jasper, my heart belonged to him and only him. Now that Jonahâs my boyfriend, heâs all I can see. I donât mind if my relationship isnât the best, but I hate it when people try to ruin it. Iâd advise you to keep your nose out of my business, Mr. Harper. Please donât disturb my life anymore.â
Only the heavens knew how bitter Alyssa felt when she said this.
Even Landon could tell she was trying hard to suppress her anger and heartache. His gaze deepened for a second. Alyssa breathed deeply and put her guard up again. Then, she turned to leave with her head held high and came to an abrupt stop.
â¦
âJasper?â Landonâs eyes widened. How had he gotten there so quickly? Had he taken a rocket or something?
Jasper stood at the entrance of the restaurant with his back straight. He oozed iciness. The restaurantâs A/C was turned up at full blast. But Jasperâs presence made it become an ice cellar.
Alyssa met his burning gaze. She had to say that his eyes were beautiful and bright. Once upon a time, theyâd bewitched her and put her under a spell. But those same eyes had only looked at her with iciness.
Jasper had never smiled at her, let alone given her loving looks. Sheâd been obsessed with the idea of melting a heart of stone. The tears sheâd shed and the effort sheâd expended had moved no one but herself.
Jasper approached her with narrowed eyes. Heâd turned down his afternoon appointment when heâd heard about Alice and Landon being together. Then, heâd sped over to the restaurant. Upon his arrival, he heard what she said to Landon about Jonah.
He felt an inexplicable emptiness in his chest at her words. This made him mad. Heâd never been the type to throw a tantrum, but Alice always made him lose control! He looked her in the eye. âWhat are you doing here?â
âWork.â She turned away.
âIs there something wrong with your memory? I told you weâre still husband and wife as long as the divorce isnât finalized. Youâre still a member of the Beckett family. You know very well Beckett Group and Taylor Group are competitors.
âYet, youâve chosen to work at one of Taylor Groupâs hotels. What the hell were you thinking? Are you trying to piss me off? Or disgust me?
Or humiliate me?â The veins in Jasperâs forehead throbbed.
Landon suddenly felt anxious. He was about to appease them both when Alyssa said, âSo thatâs what you think.â She gave him a frosty look. âIf thatâs the case, letâs get it over and done with today. Then, youâll stop haunting me and showing your ugly mug around me.â
âAlice White!â Jasper scowled.
âWhat, you donât have everything you need with you? Have Xavier deliver them to you. I carry my things with me at all times. After all, I pray every day that theyâll be put to good use.â Alyssa smiled disdainfully. She didnât look like she would miss Jasper at all.
Jasper immediately saw red. He grabbed her arm forcefully. It was almost as if he were afraid he wouldnât be able to catch her once she fled. Unfortunately, in the next secondâ¦
âOuch!â A sharp pain jolted through Alyssaâs arm. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Jasper stiffened, and his heart raced. Heâd dislocated her arm!
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