Cornelius thought, âThe Taylors should count their blessings. If it were someone else who slapped Zoe, theyâd be in serious trouble.â
Jonah fixed his gaze on Zoe. Despite not saying a word, he induced fear in Zoe, who promptly leaned closer to Penelope.
Lyla released Winstonâs arm and hurriedly reached for Alyssaâs hand. â Lyse, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?â
Penelope and Zoe looked incredulous upon hearing Lylaâs words.
âIâm fine, Lyla. Donât worry,â Alyssa reassured Lyla.
âLyse, I donât believe that you slapped her. We trust your character, even if the outsiders donât,â Lyla expressed her trust in Alyssa while shooting daggers at Zoe.
Meanwhile, Winston pressed his lips and frowned. He looked at Alyssa with mixed emotions. He wasnât concerned at all about the possibility of Alyssa beating up Zoe.
After all, Alyssa had always been cheeky and sassy from a young age.
What bothered him was the fallout from the incident and the potential damage to Alyssaâs reputation.
For Alyssa to take over the Taylor Group, she needed to establish a positive public image or risk becoming a target during the handover.
âMr. Cornelius, Madam Penelope, did you witness anything at all? You have to back up your claims, you know,â a clear and composed voice intervened.
The speakerâs tone was calm yet carried a certain authority.
Everyone turned to see Jameson approaching Alyssa Alyssa stood hand, she wished for Jasper to be her knight in shining armor.
âWhat do you mean, Mr. Jameson? Are you saying that Zoe lied to frame Alyssa?â Cornelius demanded, âWell, thatâs something youâll have to ask her. She might ruin her future with her devious tricks.â
Jameson stood before Alyssa and stared at her tenderly, eliciting excited gasps from the crowds.
âLong before this, Mr. Jameson had expressed his interest in Ms. Alyssa at the charity auction!â
âNo shit, Sherlock. Just look at the way he stares at her. He even defended her against the Harpers.
Heâs made it very clear.â
âI wonder Winston Taylorâs thoughts about the president of Beckett Group versus the Schmidt princelingâ
âI would pick Mr. Jameson. At least, he seems relatively scandal-free, unlike Jasper Beckett and his involvements with Liana Gardner and now Zoe Harper. Who knows if heâll be cheating on Ms. Alyssa with another woman in the future? If I were a parent, Iâd never allow my daughter to marry him!â, Zoe faltered under Jamesonâs gaze and grasped Penelopeâs arm tightly. Though she hadnât spoken to Jameson before, he seemed familiar.
The overwhelming fear nearly suffocated her.
Penelope hugged Zoe tightly and hissed in fury, âMr. Jameson, are you suggesting that Zoe framed Alyssa? How could you victim-blame after my daughter has been roughed up? I know your family is close with the Taylors, but you shouldnât speak up for the bullies.â
Zoe wore a pitiful expression, but underneath, she grappled with guilt and fear. She had done her research and knew the corridor had no