After Alyssaâs verbal attacks, Betty hid behind Sophia cowardly without any thoughts of causing trouble, seeing that Simon had been defeated.
Alyssa went over to Newton and clasped his bony hand with worry, looking closer to him than Betty ever did. âGrandpa! Why did you call me over at this hour? Are you feeling unwell?â
âDonât worry, child. Iâm fine.â Newton looked into her bright eyes tenderly and patted the back of her hand. He reassured her, âIâm perfectly fine. In the best of health.â
She let out a long sigh. âThatâs good to hear.â
âAlice, it isnât anything serious. I wanted you here because, firstly, I missed you, and secondly, I wanted to understand. What happened between you and Betty? Why did things escalate?â He sounded sincere.
He added, âYou and Betty are both dear to me, and I wish to see the two of you doing well. I get nervous and concerned every time the both of you cause a stir.â
Despite his choice of words, Alyssa could tell he wanted to speak up for Betty. She felt a lump in her throat. It seemed that no matter how kindly she treated him, she would never be treated the same as his granddaughter.
Heâd still have a soft spot for his precious granddaughter, even if she was, in reality, a deceitful backstabber.
âDad, Betty nearly didnât make it out of the police station alive during those two days!â
Seizing the opportunity, Sophia embraced Betty tightly.
She sobbed together with her daughter and lamented, âThe police took turns interrogating her in 24 hours, threatening her and scolding her. They didnât even allow her to sleep. Look at this poor girl!
Sheâs utterly drained from that torture!â
Indeed, Betty appeared more exhausted than before, and her tears added to her miserable look.
Newton had doted on Betty since she was a child. She might not be as talented as Alyssa, nor did she please him the way Alyssa had. Besides, Betty rarely visited him after gaining her independence in adulthood.
Despite all that, Betty was his granddaughter. At his age, he only wanted to enjoy family time.
Jasper felt a pang of unease when he noticed the tears in Alyssaâs eyes, seeing her confidence waver.
It was clear she felt hurt by what Newton had said to her.
It reminded him of how she had been treated as an outsider during their three years of marriage. Not only did he not feel bad for her, he secretly wished that sheâd give up and suggest a divorce.
The look on Alyssa was a reenactment of her life in the past. Jasper couldnât afford to mistreat her any longer.
With that in mind, he went up to Newton with rage in his eyes. To everyoneâs shock, he casually wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her closer, making her appear like his woman. They looked like they had never been divorced.
She glared at him, freezing in place. âJasper-â
Refusing to let her go, he tightened his grip on her rounded shoulder. âGrandpa, instead of asking her what happened, you should ask about what Betty had done.â