Ch. 671..680

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 671-A thunderous applause broke out in the hall.

One guest commented, “Mr. Taylor might not have bought a property or jewelry for his wife, but he generously donated five million dollars to her charity foundation. That shows how much he cares about her.” “Mr. Taylor’s gift is creative and meaningful, unlike the other husbands who always buy their wives the same gifts.

“This not only elevates Lyla’s stature but also builds a positive image for the Taylor family. It’s a win-win solution.” Newton, Victor, and Jonah were seated together at the same table just below the stage.

Victor grumbled under his breath, “What’s that guy using to maintain his youthful appearance?” He turned to Jonah and inquired, “Jonah, what’s your dad’s skincare like? He’s aging backward. Just tell me.” Jonah offered a humble smile. “He probably uses some makeup.” Victor and Winston had been silently competing against each other for decades.

“Oh, where did he hire his makeup artist from? That’s a pretty natural look. Can you introduce me to that makeup artist?” Victor inched closer to Jonah, who looked speechless.

Meanwhile, Newton was tickled by their conversation.

At the other table, the Taylor family was joyfully applauding. Tatiana suddenly burst into tears upon seeing Lyla so emotional and happy onstage.

Seated beside Tatiana, Mandy quickly noticed it and handed her a napkin. “Taty, why are you crying?” “I’m… I’m fine, Madam Mandy,” Tatiana replied, wiping her tears with the napkin.

She added, “I’m just … happy for Mom.” Mandy affectionately tousled Tatiana’s long hair. In their huge family, everyone called her Mandy. Only Tatian, the youngest, still referred to her as “Madam Mandy”.

That didn’t bother Mandy at all. She was deeply moved by Tatiana’s response and agreed, “Oh, you should be.” I’ve always thought Dad didn’t care much about Mom, Tatiana confided.

“And I’m the least accomplished among his daughters Madam Mandy, your daughter is the future first lady of Kentina. Lyse is an icon in the design world, and she manages Dad’s hotel at the same time.

“But look at me. I know nothing. I’m always a burden to Mom and everyone else…” “Taty, you shouldn’t see yourself that way.” Mandy comforted her and pulled her into a warm hug.

“Your dad has repeatedly told us that he wants you to enjoy life without worry.

He doesn’t care about your success, only your happiness and safety.

“Besides, your dad loves your mom deeply, even if he doesn’t express it openly.

We should judge him by his actions, don’t you think?” Tatiana nodded tearfully as she rested her head on Mandy’s shoulder.

Next, several important guests presented Lyla with gifts worth millions of dollars to avoid looking stingy.

in front of Winston Taylor, the Belbanks tycoon.

“The next gift is from Jameson Schmidt of Schmidt Group!” The emcee announced, and the spotlight beamed on Jameson..

Everyone looked toward Alyssa’s table. She also glanced curiously at the calm and poised Jameson.

“Did Jimmy prepare his gift without telling us?” David gasped. His face darkened as he gritted his teeth.

“Huh, what a calculative fellow. All he cares about is impressing the Taylor family and stealing the spotlight. What’s the purpose of that?” 1

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 672-Josh leisurely sipped his red wine, his expression dripping with disdain. He commented, “Jimmy has always been a smart aleck. He doesn’t understand that trying too hard will backfire on him.

“While he might have pleased Alyssa with that gift, little does he know he’s pissed Dad off. Dad still holds the power David grinned and added, “Well, let Jimmy grovel at the Taylors’ feet and watch everything fall apart around him!” As expected, Victor’s expression soured. He clenched his jaw and shot a piercing look at Jameson. He was shocked to see Lily there with Jameson.

The emcee brought Jameson’s gift onto the stage, and everyone watched on with interest. Lyla looked at Winston with hesitation.

Winston put his arm around her waist and said, “He put in time and effort for this gift. Let’s take a look.” Winston’s expression changed when he saw the gift, and his gaze silently turned to Jameson. The other guests exclaimed and praised the gift with an intensity that rivaled their surprise at Sharon’s design.

Alyssa frowned when she realized Jameson had bought Lyla a valuable marble sculpture from the Victorian era.

It was an item so rare that it could have been showcased in a national museum.

At auctions, it could easily fetch a starting price of 30 million dollars.

The fact that Jameson had chosen this gift for Lyla, one that was more expensive than Victor’s, was a clear provocation.

What made it worse was that Jameson and Lyla were not particularly close, likely having only met a few times. It wasn’t a gift for Lyla. It was a thinly veiled attempt to curry favor with Winston.

Alyssa pressed her lips and shook her head gently. When she casually looked to the right, she was shocked to find Jasper missing.

Her heart skipped a beat as she scanned the room for his presence.

“Madam Lyla,” Jameson greeted her in front of the stage, wearing a humble smile as he introduced his gift.

“This is my birthday present for you-a marble sculpture from the Victorian era. I wish you good health and happiness with Mr. Taylor.” After a brief pause, Lyla beamed at him warmly. “Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. You didn’t have to give me such an extravagant gift. Your presence is more than enough.” Winston chimed in with a joking tone, “Indeed. This is quite lavish, People might think it’s my birthday gift, haha!” Jameson adjusted his glasses with an inscrutable gleam in his eyes.

Meanwhile, the guests gasped and gossiped.

“Wow, a gift from the Victorian era!” “That’s an incredibly rare and valuable antique!” “Mr. Jameson Schmidt has never shown up at any formal family events, and now he’s making a grand entrance with a generous gift. He’s quite something.” “His gift is worth 10 million dollars more than his dad’s, though. Is that even appropriate?” The answer was no. Victor looked ashen-faced. However, the guests didn’t know that Jameson had deliberately made such a move.

This was just the beginning. The Schmidts had better brace themselves for more trouble from now on.

Just then, the emcee announced loudly, “The next gift is from Jasper Beckett, the president of Beckett Group!”

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 673-Alyssa couldn’t help but sit up straight, her heart pounding as she fixed her gaze on the stage.

Miley instantly picked up on the change in Alyssa’s behavior as they were seated next to each other. The look in her eyes deepened.

All eyes in the room shifted from Jameson to the stage.

Underneath the stage, Newton gleefully patted Jonah and Victor, who were seated beside him. “Heh heh!

It’s time for my grandson’s gift!” Newton was confident that Jasper wouldn’t let Jameson steal the limelight with an inferior gift..

“By the way, Victor, judging from your son’s behavior… Is he interested in Alice?” Newton wondered curiously with an arched brow.

“Alice?” “Ah, sorry. It’s Alyssa’s nickname. I’m used to calling her that,” Newton explained. He hadn’t shaken off the habit.

Victor pursed his lips with an unreadable expression on his face. He remarked, “Jimmy, my fourth son, has been living abroad without my supervision for a long time. I have no idea what’s on his mind.” “Don’t you think he’s making his intentions clear by giving Lyla a 30-milliondollar antique?” Newton asked with a wry smile and a raised brow.

“It seems your youngest son is quite interested in Alyssa.” Victor offered a tight-lipped smile, trying to divert the conversation. “I don’t know much about the affairs of young people.” Newton leaned back with a triumphant smile and continued, “Well, let me offer you some advice. Lyse will eventually date my grandson. You should talk to Jameson about this.

“There are plenty of other women out there who are more suitable for him. He shouldn’t waste his time on someone who won’t choose him.” Victor smiled at him, looking shocked and abashed. Even Jonah looked quite taken aback as he concealed a small grin.

Newton could be quite unpredictable sometimes, which was a testament to his charisma in his days.

younger Back on the stage, Jameson wore a sullen expression. He had anticipated Jasper’s gift for Lyla but hadn’t expected such a grand presentation.

The emcee had placed a tray on the table. A cloth was draped across the gift.

Jameson stared unhappily at Jasper, who showed up poised and calm. Jasper addressed Lyla, “Madam Lyla, this is my gift for you.” Then, he stood right next to Jameson, like a figure out of an oil painting.

Smiling, he said to Lyla, “I wish you a very happy birthday. May everything go well for you.” Jasper’s class and manners were typical of a gentleman. Newton was grinning under the stage, thinking that Jasper looked way better than the four-eyed Jameson.

Alyssa cast a complicated glance at Jasper. She was curious about his gift for Lyla.

Jameson’s expensive antique gift had set a high bar. What could Jasper possibly present to outshine him?

“Thank you for your kind wishes. I’m honored to have you and Mr. Newton Beckett at my party,” Lyla gracefully expressed her gratitude.

Winston gave Jasper an amused look. Despite his silence, he was upset at Jasper, who had deeply hurt Alyssa. How bold of him to show up at his family’s event!

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 674-Winston smirked at Jasper’s thick-skinned behavior.

“I haven’t prepared anything extravagant, but I believe it’s the thought behind a gift that truly matters. I hope Madam Lyla likes it,” Jasper humbly remarked.

Alyssa rested her chin on her hand and raised an inquisitive eyebrow at him. It was rare for him to show such a friendly side to anyone. He was indeed a good actor.

“Since Mr. Beckett has put thought into the gift, let’s see what it is,” Winston replied somewhat reluctantly. Lyla smiled helplessly at Winston’s expression. He clearly held some disdain for Jasper.

Jameson found Winston’s expression rather comical and believed that Jasper could never make amends with the Taylor family after offending them with his poor treatment of Alyssa.

When Lyla and Winston unveiled the gift, they discovered a golden tiara adorned with diamonds inside a glass box.

Lyla’s heart raced, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Lyla, what’s the matter?” Winston gently asked, noticing her emotional reaction.

She quickly composed herself and offered him a radiant smile. “Winston, I absolutely adore Mr. Beckett’s gift.” Her voice resonated through the hall via the microphone, surprising everyone, including Alyssa, who was perplexed by Lyla’s appreciation for the tiara.

After all, it wasn’t made from top-quality materials. The only remarkable aspect was its exquisite craftsmanship. It resembled a prop for a stage performance.

“Lyla, I don’t get it …” Winston sounded confused.

Lyla’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Before she explained the situation, she calmly looked at Jasper and questioned, “Mr. Beckett, may I know where you found this tiara?” “It’s a long story. I obtained it from a retired craftsman after some effort,” Jasper replied with a somber expression.

“He had been holding onto this tiara. I initially tried to purchase it at a high price, but he declined.

“When I revealed that I wanted to give the tiara to you as a birthday gift, he was touched by the thought and gave it to me for free. That was how I lucked out.” Hearing that, Lyla’s tears rolled down her cheeks. She questioned, “Was It Mr.

Hahn who worked on the set of ‘The Cyrrisian Beauty’?” Jasper nodded. “Yes.” Lyla covered her mouth to stifle her cries. Shocked by the revelation, Alyssa hurriedly searched for information about “The Cyrrisian Beauty” on her phone.

“The Cyrrisian Beauty” turned out to be a classic drama that had aired two decades ago. It had been a cultural phenomenon, and Lyla had played the role of the queen in the show.

It was the very TV series that had propelled Lyla to stardom. During TS Network’s anniversary event, the company had even prepared a special stage for Lyla to perform a song as the Queen of Cyrris, earning a round of thunderous applause.

The golden tiara was the same one worn by the Queen of Cyrris in that iconic show, brought to life by Lyla.

“No wonder …” Alyssa mused, her eyes locking onto Jasper with newfound understanding.

Jasper had won this round. Even if she disliked Jasper, she had to admit that he had put in effort for the gift.

Despite his simple introduction of the gift, Alyssa knew he must have put in lots of time and effort to secure the tiara that meant everything to Lyla. It was undoubtedly a heartfelt gesture.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 675-It was impossible not to be moved by Jasper’s efforts.

Winston was incredibly touched by Jasper’s explanation, and he no longer treated Jasper with hostility.” Jasper, thank you. I can see your effort and sincerity in the gift. You must have gone through a lot of trouble for this.” “Mr. Taylor, you’re most welcome,” Jasper replied with calm, but his heart was drumming in joy as he clenched his fists. Winston had finally called him by his first name!

He felt as though he had finally gained the approval of an in-law after years of taunting for his relationship with Alyssa. He might even lose sleep over this milestone.

In contrast, Jameson wrestled with anger when he witnessed Jasper’s triumph and Winston’s praise. He couldn’t believe he had lost to Jasper in this round, despite all his careful planning. It was a bitter defeat.

With a smile, Jasper announced, “I have another gift for Madam Lyla. It’s a joint gesture from me and my grandfather. On behalf of Beckett Group, we will contribute three million dollars to Lyla Taylor Care Foundation for its charitable work.” The guests were astounded by Beckett Group’s generous donation.

Winston’s eyes sparkled as he nodded appreciatively. Jasper, despite his flaws, had shown keen observation and thoughtfulness.

He had donated three million dollars, slightly less than Winston’s previous donation, to avoid stealing the spotlight. The gesture placed him ahead of Jameson.

Newton beamed approvingly and gave Jasper a thumbs-up. He had planned to donate to the foundation anyway.

Sensing an opportunity, Victor casually raised his hand and declared, “I’m contributing four million dollars, just a bit less than your donation, Winston!” The guests were awestruck by Victor’s generosity. The Schmidts felt compelled to follow the Becketts’ lead to save face.

“Thanks!” Winston waved at Victor with a smile. For these business tycoons, millions of dollars were nothing.

“Did Dad just donate four million dollars to Taylor Group’s foundation? Is it worth it?” David muttered quietly.

“Dad probably thinks that four million dollars is a fair price to pay after getting humiliated by Jimmy,” Josh commented with a snicker when he noticed Jameson turning white.

his glasses with a malicious glint, Jameson commented, “Well, Mr. Beckett, I never expected you to be so clever. It was quite an effort. I’ll let you win this time, but just this once.” “Choose your words carefully, Mr. Schmidt,” Jasper replied, lifting his chin proudly.

“You didn’t ‘let me win’. You lost to me.” “Jasper Beckett,” hissed Jameson with rage in his eyes. He couldn’t stand the idea of being defeated.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 676-“Do you know why you lost to me despite all your efforts?” Jasper snickered.

“Even if ! were being slick, I did it to impress Alyssa. But you wanted more than that. You were destined to lose to me when you insisted on bringing your sick mother to the party.” With that, Jasper walked away. Feeling suffocated, Jameson cast a threatening glance at him.

The party went on merrily. Since Jasper had secured a victory, he happily searched for a corner for a well- deserved smoke.

Not long after he had ventured out of the hall, he heard a beautiful voice calling to him, “Jasper Beckett!” He gulped and spun around to see Alyssa rushing to him in her sexy heels.

Her eyes sparkled like the starry night, her soft hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her lips were as red as a rose.

He had a sudden urge to embrace her tightly and kiss her.

Before long, she stood right before him. They gazed at each other, the air thick with tension, and heard each other’s ragged breaths.

There was palpable chemistry between them, even without sweet words or physical affection.

“Um, I didn’t expect you to prepare such a surprising gift for Lyla,” she began.

“I can tell she likes your tiara the most among all the gifts. She likes it better than mine.” Jasper’s expression fell as he explained, “Sorry. I got it for her only because I thought she would like it. I didn’t think about it too much.

“Lyse, I didn’t mean to overshadow you. You’re her family, and I bet she likes your gift the most.” “Can you please stop apologizing at every opportunity? How many times do I have to remind you that I hate hearing ‘sorry’? You make me sound like a bully,” she grumbled with a frown.

“I just wanted to say thank you for the gift.” His eyes wavered. He could deal with her tantrums, but he was at a loss for words when she thanked him.

“I haven’t seen Lyla this happy in a long time,” Alyssa said with a contented smile.

“So I need to thank you for that.” “It’s nice that you place your family above everything else,” he replied while gazing tenderly into her eyes.

The look sent a surge of emotions through her chest. She had once considered Jasper one of the most important people in her life, but that was all in the past.

“Come with me, Lyse,” he said, taking her hand.

“I have a gift for you.” 273

 

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 677-Holding Alyssa’s hand, Jasper rushed down the opulent yet deserted corridor, like two young aristocrats who were defying societal rules and eloping.

Her gaze was fixed on his broad back, which provided her with a sense of security. Her chest heaved, and her palms grew sweaty.

She had to admit that she felt a little attracted to him. At the same time, she berated herself for still having feelings for him over mere hand-holding, after having fallen in love with him twice, 13 years and three years ago, respectively.

She felt rather indignant for being weak when it came to Jasper.

In contrast, he appeared to be in high spirits, jogging alongside her until they reached the door of a luxurious suite.

A surge of panic and embarrassment washed over her. In anger, she yanked her hand from his grasp and hissed, “What is this? How dare you disrespect me on my turf? You know I could always get my brothers to beat you up right now.” He paused in surprise. Realizing she had misunderstood his intention, he explained helplessly, “What on earth are you thinking? I’ve kept my gift for you in this suite. That’s all.” Her eyes widened, her blush deepening as she pressed her lips together.

“Well, I can tackle a few men on my own, but I would much rather make a good impression on your brothers. I wouldn’t dream of doing anything untoward,” he added.

He leaned toward her with desire in his eyes and teased, “Even if I did have any such intentions, I would have taken you to my place instead.” “Ugh, I would never ever go back to that family of yours! They’re unbearable!” Feeling embarrassed, she looked away from him.

“Seaview Manor was never my home, Lyse. I don’t have a home,” he admitted with a hoarse voice and a somber expression.

His words stung her, leaving her momentarily speechless.

“I’ll only have a home if I’m with you. If we can’t be together, I would rather be in exile for the rest of my life,” he added, his eyes brimming with sincerity.

She met his gaze, but her response was slow, as if she were numbed by the weight of their shared history.

He had rushed the conversation. However much he yearned to get back with her, he shouldn’t have broached the subject right away.

“You served in the military, didn’t you? You joined the Peacekeeping Forces,” she suddenly inquired.

He had a sinking feeling. Before he could respond, she sharply interrupted, “You led a nomadic life during those years, but don’t forget why you did it. You didn’t join the military because of me.” She could never overlook that pain. Panicking, Jasper felt his words stuck in his throat.

At that moment, the door unexpectedly swung open, surprising them both and relieving the tension.

“Mr. Beckett! Madam! It’s you.” Xavier stood there with a satisfied smile and explained, “I heard your voices from inside. I opened the door to check on you since you’ve been out here for quite a while.” Alyssa and Jasper looked dumbfounded. Xavier began to sweat as he realized something was amiss.

Stammering, he said, “Uh, d-did I interrupt something?” “It’s fine,” she replied coldly, and she walked into the suite. A pale-faced Jasper followed suit.

Xavier attempted to enter the suite with them, but Jasper swiftly closed the door in his face. Just before shutting it completely, Jasper instructed him through the crack, “Stand guard.” Xavier immediately stood at attention and answered, “Roger that, Mr. Beckett!

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 678-Alyssa’s attention was immediately drawn to a beautiful ebony box on the coffee table. Her expertise in antique collections allowed her to discern that the box contained something truly rare.

“What a lovely box …” She gasped and stared at it.

“Don’t just admire the box. You should see what’s inside.” Jasper encouraged her, standing by her side.

and utterly captivated by her beauty.

Confused yet eager, Alyssa wiped her sweaty palms on her dress. Her endearing action only deepened Jasper’s affection for her, and he felt an irresistible desire for her.

Carefully, she opened the box to reveal a pink top and a green-stemmed glass goblet that seemed like something out of a dream.

She exclaimed in delight and covered her mouth.

Winston had collected antiques from all over the world, but he had never acquired an item from the Regency Era. The glass goblet finally filled that gap, and Alyssa was thrilled by the find.

“I stumbled upon this glass goblet in a Yoarkley collector’s collection three months ago. I thought you would appreciate it, so I went to great lengths to negotiate with him and convince him to sell it to me,” Jasper explained with a smile.

The effort he had put into securing this item was inconsequential compared to the joy of seeing her smile.

“It’s absolutely lovely,” she murmured, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Since she didn’t have a pair of gloves, she hesitated to touch the goblet and instead ran her fingers along its edges.

“You can touch it however you like. It’s yours,” he said tenderly, then slowly wrapped his arms around her from behind, as if protecting something precious.

He breathed heavily and held her hand firmly from behind. She could feel his warm breath against her hair and ears, and their hearts raced as their shadows merged.

A sweet, intoxicating scent filled the air.

“Jasper-” she called out and suddenly felt a force from behind. He pressed against her back and tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her into an embrace.

“Lyse, save the scolding and punching for later,” he whispered. For now, he just wanted to savor the hug.

It was time for ballroom dancing at the birthday party.

As the star of the night, Lyla danced to the music with Winston, drawing the admiration and envy of the guests.

Since Winston came from a prestigious family, he had taken lessons in ballroom dancing in his teens. He danced better than any young man for a man of his age.

As for Lyla, she could rival a professional dancer due to her theatrical experience, where ballroom dancing was one of the skills she picked up.

Together, they danced elegantly, capturing the attention of everyone in the room.

Some of the guests had come with their own partners, while others sought dance partners among the other attendees. Laughter and conversation filled the dance floor.

Josh, of course, had to dance with his wife, Clarissa. Similarly, Landon would only dance with Lauren.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 679-“I don’t know how to dance… I’ll skip,” Lauren excused herself. She had been sipping juice and enjoying cake on the couch until Landon had suddenly invited her to dance.

Having watched her parents and Betty dance before, Lauren felt that dancing wasn’t something she could 1. Besides, she believed she would never have a chance to be in the spotlight anyway.

*It’s alright if you don’t know. I can teach you, Lauren,” Landon reassured her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

She hung her head low, a tiny patch of cream at the corner of her lips. She mumbled, “I’m not dancing, Landon. They all dance well.

“I would only embarrass you because I don’t know how to dance. Besides, I don’t like crowded places. I panic when there are too many people around.” Landon was shocked and upset. Lauren’s second excuse was the real reason behind her refusal to dance.

Despite his attentiveness, he had let his excitement get the better of him, forgetting that she suffered from autism and social phobia.

He silently chided himself for being thoughtless.

… “Landon, are you angry with me?” she asked anxiously when Landon remained silent. Her feet turned.

inward in her Mary Jane shoes from her nervousness.

= = 5 He quickly knelt before her and wiped away the cream on her lips. He then tasted it, exclaiming, “Ah. How sweet!” Lauren instantly blushed and clenched her fists. “Why did you eat it? That’s … dirty.” “No, how could that be? You’re sweet, and you smell good,” he said as he held her hands. His eyes sparkled with sincerity.

Her heart raced. She asked, “Is that true?” “Yes. When have I lied to you?” He gazed into her eyes and suddenly broke into a mischievous grin.

“You seem bored sitting by the side. Shall I teach you how to dance?” “B-But I’m a slow learner,” she replied, not feeling confident.

“That’s fine. I’ll teach you. We can take our time,” he whispered into her ear, his warm breath tickling it, just like how I taught you to kiss.” #

Lauren gasped in embarrassment, her face red. Landon couldn’t help but softly slap himself on the cheek, chastising himself for being unserlous and flirty..

The Taylor family seemed to be in a good mood as well. Colene had had too much to drink and started dancing with Tatiana while drinking from a wine glass.

“I don’t want to dance with you. You’re clumsy. You might be good at prosecuting suspects, but not at dancing!” Mandy remarked at Cyrus as she twirled.

“How did your dad and I give birth to a bad dancer when we’re so talented in music and dance? It’s strange.” Cyrus shrugged. “A good dancer might not be a good policeman. It’s not like I can subdue suspects by dancing in front of them.” Mandy retorted, “It would have been great if you could do that. You don’t even need to point a gun at them -suspects would faint from your poor dancing skills!” The guests laughed at the mother-son duo’s banter. At the same time, Rose was drinking alone in a corner. She teared up at the sight of the joyful family.

“Ms. Emerson,” Silas called out to her. She snapped back to reality and found him standing in front of her with a bright smile, extending his hand in a gentlemanly manner.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 680-“May I invite you to a dance?” Silas inquired.

Rose stood up gracefully and placed her hand in his palm. “Of course.” Silas noticed the tears glistening in the corners of her eyes in the soft light. He tightened his grip on her hand, which startled her, prompting a futile attempt by her to break free from his hold.

“Is something wrong? Do you regret your decision?” Silas inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“No, but why did you pinch my hand?” Rose grumbled.

“I can’t pinch your feet, can I?” he teased, finding humor in the odd question.

“You” Rose began, but her retort was cut short as Silas twirled her gracefully by the waist. After a dizzying spin, she found herself dancing to the rhythm of the music with him.

“Did you cry just now?” he whispered, glancing at her reddened eyes as his hand rested on the small of her back.

“No, no tears. I was yawning,” she denied, but was taken aback by how observant he was.

“Alright, I could have been mistaken.” “Mistaken? You certainly were,” she retorted, her teeth gritting.

“Your eyesight must be pretty poor, or you wouldn’t have crashed into my car.” “By the way, I forgot to mention,” Silas interjected with a sly grin.

“What is it?” He turned her around with him. “After you left the accident scene, I called the traffic police, and they determined you were at fault, Ms. Emerson.” Π She glared at him, biting her lip in embarrassment.

“My insurance company will be in touch with you tomorrow. I don’t need a sugar mommy, just compensation for the repair costs,” he quipped, leaning in with a mischievous grin.

“That will save you some money.” She was silently frustrated. Silas had to be one of the most thick-skinned individuals she had ever encountered. She felt an urge to stomp on his foot with her heels.

172 Jameson had been by Lily’s side throughout the party but couldn’t help scanning the room for Alyssa. She was nowhere to be found, and neither was Jasper A sense of unease crept over him.

“Jimmy, don’t worry about me. Go find Lyse,” Lily, who was fully conscious, said with a hint of regret.

“I know you’ve loved her for a long time. Find her and ask her to dance, It’s a great opportunity for you.

Stop sticking with me. Just go.” “Mom, you’re overthinking. I want to be with you,” he reassured Lily, offering a gentle smile.

“I’ll have plenty of time with Lyse,” “Jimmy!” At the sound of the familiar voice, Jameson’s demeanor grew cold. The voice also startled Lily, who sought refuge in his embrace.

“Jimmy, come out! We need to talk!” Victor bellowed and glared at Jameson.

“Dad, is your eyesight worsening with age? Can’t you see that your wife is right in front of you?” Jameson taunted. Tension hung in the air as he confronted his father.