Chapter 381: Chapter 381

Vincent led Alyssa and Ada to the backstage dressing room, where they chatted and sipped champagne.

After a while, Ada’s manager summoned her for an important interview, leaving only Alyssa and Vincent In the room.

“It’s been three years since we last met. How have you been, Alyssa?” Vincent gave her a fatherly look, devoid of any romantic passion.

“Just like what you see. I’m still the old me.” Alyssa opened her arms with a cool smile.

“You seem more worldly than three years ago. I can see in your weathered eyes that you went through a lot.

Where did you go in the three years you vanished? Did you travel the world for inspiration?” Vincent detected a hint of melancholy in her expression and asked with genuine concern.

“Nah, I did not go traveling. I wasted three years working as a slave, and I’m completely burned out.”

Alyssa let out a sigh with an empty look in her eyes.

“You’re as funny as before.” He clinked glasses with her and chuckled. “When do you plan to reveal your identity as Alexa publicly? It’s a pity to keep this remarkable identity under wraps.”

“I’ll take it a step at a time. I have other priorities now. While announcing my identity is nice, I do not want to attract trouble right now.”

She scrunched up her eyes. “If I plan to drop my identity, I need to make sure that the move is meaningful and creates the greatest effect at the right time.”

“That’s classic Alexa. You always maximize your gains, never allowing yourself to lose out.” He beamed at her. “We’re old friends now. If you run into any trouble or troublemaker, just tell me.

“This isn’t Yoarkley. I’m afraid your influence as a duke doesn’t hold much sway here,” Alyssa replied carelessly after she grasped the meaning behind his words.

“Ms. Harper has always wanted to join the AX membership. We initially had her on our shortlist, but today’s incident clearly shows that she is far from qualified to be our VIP member.”

Still wearing a smile, he added, “A few days ago, Mrs. Harper and Lucille Schmidt were appealing to me, hoping I’d attend their charity events. I thought hard about it, but now, I have made up my mind.”

Alyssa shrugged. “As long as you’re happy, I’m fine with whatever you decide.”

Her non-reply was in fact a silent approval of Vincent’s decision. Anyone who wanted to lay a finger on her, regardless of their identity, would not be spared.

When the show was about to start, Vincent led Alyssa out of the dressing room. They didn’t manage to get far before a cold and alluring voice stopped them.

“Alyssa Taylor.”

She started and turned around with a frown. There, she saw Jasper’s silhouette approaching her. He wore a calm expression.

Vincent came to a realization when he saw the hostile look in the eyes of the approaching man.

Chortling, he whispered, “Ms. Alyssa, is he a friend of yours?”

“My friend? No, he’s not worthy of my friendship,” she answered with disdain despite being puzzled by Jasper’s attendance.

To her knowledge, Jasper was the opposite of the attention-loving Landon. Therefore, he would hate to attend events like this. Why did he undergo a change in attitude and attend the jewelry show?

She concluded that he must have been here because of Betty, that dull, devious, and clingy sister of his.

Jasper walked up to them, his eyes on Alyssa. He wondered aloud, “Ms. Alyssa, won’t you introduce me to this gentleman?”

“Is that even necessary? The Beckett Group is not involved in the jewelry business or any related industries. I don’t think you’ll come across Mr. Carter much,” Alyssa dropped any pretense and coldly turned him down.

Jasper pursed his lips, but he wouldn’t back down just because he was rejected. Instead, he held out his hand to Vincent. “Mr. Carter, it’s my pleasure to meet you.”

‘Mr. Beckett! Nice to meet you. I was surprised that you and Ms. Alyssa knew each other.” Vincent graciously shook Jasper’s hand.

“Well, it doesn’t seem you are close with Ms. Alyssa, then.” Jasper narrowed his wintry eyes.

“Otherwise, you would have known my relationship to her.”

Vincent frowned. He sensed that Jasper had grasped his hand tighter as if they were engaged in a quiet struggle.

They stood there like two martial arts practitioners exchanging moves, holding out until the eventual explosion of tension.

Jasper was bewildered by his own behavior. He had never been one to engage in such childish and anxious displays.