Xavier swiftly closed his gaping mouth, only for his jaw to drop open again. He gave Jasper a thumbs-
up and replied, âYou look fantastic! So full of energy!â
Jasperâs expression instantly soured as he demanded, âDo I really look great?â
Xavier was momentarily stunned before finally getting it. If Jasper appeared healthy and energetic, it would alleviate Alyssaâs guilt, as it meant he was recovering well. On the other hand, if Jasper showed up looking sickly, Alyssa would feel concerned about him.
So, that was Jasperâs strategy. How clever!
The two men were stopped by an assistant when they stepped into the building. The assistant said, Gentlemen, Ms. Emerson is seeing a VIP now and unavailable for meetings. Iâm afraid youâll have to leave.â
Jasper put on a stern face and asked, âIs Ms. Emerson with her mentor right now?â
The assistant was taken aback by his knowledge and asked, âHow did you know?â
âIâm here as Ms. Emersonâs mentorâs husband,â Jasper responded with narrowed eyes. âYou canât stop a husband from seeing his wife.â
Xavierâs jaw hung agape at Jasperâs audacity.
The assistant frowned and scrutinized Jasper before remarking. âMr. Beckett, do you think I wouldnât recognize you? If I recall correctly, your fiancée, Ms. Gardner, ordered a dress from us just a few months ago. She announced your upcoming wedding at her birthday party in quite a grand manner.â
Jasper tensed at the mention of Lianaâs name.
The assistant continued, âItâs been only a few months, and now youâre here claiming that Ms.
Emersonâs mentor is your wife. Do you take us as fools?â
Jasper wanted to explain himself but was abruptly interrupted by a sharp scream from the second floor.
Rose shouted, âJasper Beckett, what did you just say? Repeat it. Whoâs your wife?â
She ran up to Jasper, eyes widened in shock.
âYour mentor, Alyssa Taylor, is my wife.â He paused and added in a low voice to avoid any misunderstanding, âWell, sheâs my ex-wife.â
âOh-my-gosh!â Rose was baffled to learn the truth. Still, she was in disbelief. âIâm warning you now-
youâd better not make un stories to take advantage of her famal Wall âIf you doubt my words, feel free to ask Alyssa herself. Sheâll tell you,â Jasper replied calmly.
âImpossible! I donât get it! What on earth made her choose you?â Rose instinctively took a step back from Jasper. âOnly someone shallow like Liana Gardner would fall for an audacious older man like you!â
Jasper awkwardly pressed his lips. Right, what made Alyssa fall for him? While he had once saved her life, that had occurred 13 years ago when she was just 11. Could she have even considered marrying him at that age? It simply didnât make sense.
âYes. Heâs my ex-husband,â Alyssaâs voice echoed from the second floor, drawing the attention of Rose, Jasper, and Xavier.
Dressed in a white silk blouse and black formal pants, she leaned against the railing with an amused expression. It was as though she was looking right through Jasper, She continued, âForgive me, Rose. Again, Iâm not the first woman who has stumbled into a wrong marriage.â