Sophia took a deep breath and went to open the door, acting calm.â What is it?â
âWhat are you doing here, Madam Sophia? Mr. Javier is searching for you all over the place.â As Rory spoke, his eyes wouldnât stop peeking behind Sophia into the lounge.
âI was tired, so I found a place to rest. What are you looking for? You think Iâm hiding someone?â
Sophia leaned back against the door, arms crossed in front of her chest. She sneered. âOnly an ugly and perverted mind would view the world as such. Go inside, then. Try to find a man hiding in here, or so help me!â
âThatâs not what I meant, maâam.â
Rory didnât pursue the matter. He smiled politely and gestured for Sophia to exit the room. âLadies first, Madam Sophia. Mr. Javier requests your immediate presence in the VIP area. Everyone is present save for you, Madam Sophia and Mr. Javier worries abo speculation.â
A peculiar atmosphere had settled in the VIP area.
Zoe hid behind Cornelius, now pale and rigid as ice.
Max had been by Corneliusâ side and helped him accomplish countless unspeakable acts without leaving any loose ends each time. Why would Jasper have caught Max this time? It was impossible!
The rest of the Harper family were just as shocked.
âMax ⦠h-how could it be you?â Cornelius was quaking so violently Cornelius had personally adopted Max from the orphanage when he was a child and spent a lot of effort raising him. On the surface, Max was Corneliusâ personal assistant, but Cornelius had long treated Max as his own son.
âMr. Cornelius, I-ouch!â
Before Max could finish speaking, Xavier kicked him in the waist, making him fall heavily onto the ground.
Everyone was shocked.
Alyssaâs eyes widened slightly as she grew tense and alert.
She never imagined that Xavier, who usually obediently followed and did as he was told, would have such an unbridled side to himâall just to get revenge for Alyssa himself!
Just then, Jasper gently wrapped an arm around her waist. He asked gently, âDid he frighten you?â
âTsk. Frighten my ass,â Alyssa scoffed. Yet she couldnât help but feel warmth blossom in her chest from the feeling of Jasperâs hand on her waist.
âIt always used to be Xavier whoâd calm me down when I was on the edge of blowing up,â Jasper murmured. He nodded, feeling pleased. This is the first time heâs been unable to hold himself back, all for his dear Madam Alyssa.â
Alyssaâs lashes trembled lightly. Jasperâs magnetic voice and warm breath on her skin seemed to make an electric current run up her spine. She had the urge to look down, feeling shy.
Xavier had lashed out at lightning speed. He kicked Max again, eyes red with fury. âMotherfucker! How dare you try to hurt Madam Alyssa!â
âYou dare hurt one of my own?â Cornelius roared angrily.
Everyone who was a Harper rose and went to stand behind Cornelius. They glared furiously at Xavier, some even eagerly waiting for Cornelius to give them the word to end him.
âHe works for me. Touch him, I dare you,â Jasper spoke up, his gaze icy and laced with anger as it swept across the Harper familyâs faces.
Jasper was like a powerful warlord, capable of putting an ominous pressure on everyone in the room.
Everyone quickly fell silent.
Xavierâs fearless expression quickly turned into a grateful, blushing one. He gazed fondly at Jasper, suddenly becoming his original, meek self again.
âWho permitted your man to injure someone in our family? Is someone as lowly as him fit to insult us?â
Cornelius barked, glaring at Jasper. âAnd what do you mean by saying someone from our family harmed Ms. Alyssa and her horse?â