Chapter 193: Chapter 193

The wall stall were busying about in the kitchen when a simply–clad maid slipped into the room. Betty had gotten through to her, so she W4s prepared to do her dirty work for her.

the bed away from the cameras and took out the vials Betty had given her before adding them to two champagne glasses. She then topped it off with champagne.

One for Mr Tanah Taylor and the other for Mr. Landon Harper. Do you understand? You have to make sure he drinks It.”

That was the instruction Belly had given her.

uld be the maid’s golden licket to being rich. She was determined not to mess up.

Hight after she finished topping the drinks, the urge to go to the restroom hit her like a pillow to the face. She quickly ran off, leaving the glasses unattended Just then, a woman in a white cotton dress snuck into the kitchen. She was the Beckett family’s fourth child, Lauren Beckelt.

like eyes peered carefully at her surroundings, ensuring no one was around before she chugged down one of the glasses of Unbeknownst to anyone else in her family, Lauren had a drinking problem. She often snuck into the cellar and kitchen in the wee hours of The morning to drink her fill. Right now, that bad habit was making itself known once again.

“Mmm Delicious! She burped slightly and smacked her lips.

d the glass and left the scene before anyone could catch her.

Alyssa never showed up in front of Newton again after Winston’s arrival.

Jasper found himself with no appetite whatsoever, even as countless delicious dishes were served as the evening went on. He kept alancing around the venue, his eyes brooding and sad.

“A toast to your health, Mr. Taylor!” Landon cried, raising his glass. “You’re truly blessed to be married to a woman such as Alice White! I hope you appreciate her and love her with all your heart. She deserves it.”

Jonah smiled and clinked his glass with Landon’s. “Oh, I won’t. I’ll treat her like a queen every single day of my life.”

Landon cleared his throat, then gave the man his name card. “This is my card, and there’s my phone number. A pleasure to be an acquaintance, Mr. Taylor.”

Jonah raised an eyebrow. “I know who you are, Mr. Harper. We can skip the pleasantries.”

“Oh, but I’m sure there’s something you don’t know about me. I’m interested in Alice, too,” Landon said without an ounce of holding back.

Jasper’s hand around his wine glass tightened.

Jonah seemed unperturbed. “Oh?”

“There’s always a bigger fish, Mr. Harper. Alice has a long list of admirers. If you lose feelings or interest in her one day, don’t be shy. Call me, and I’ll sweep her away in my arms.”

Landon’s gaze was lirm and steady. It didn’t look like he was joking at all.

Jonah grinned, finding Landon amusing. “Thank you for the reminder. But I’m sure that will never come to pass.”

Jasper couldn’t stand it anymore. He stood up and left the table.

Though these two men hadn’t mentioned his name once, it felt like they were throwing sarcastic jabs at him non–stop. It was unbearable to sit through to the end.

The moment he left the table and the main venue, someone smashed into his chest. It was Liana.

“Jasper!”

Just then, he noticed a familiar ligure walking by in the distance.

It was Alyssa.

He opened his mouth as il about to speak, but then Liana forcefully kissed him on the lips.

Alyssa just so happened to turn and look at them. She grimaced just the slightest upon seeing this sight, then turned away as if nothing had happened, leaving them alone.

Jasper’s heart lightened. He immediately shoved Liana away, nearly making her fall on her feet.

“You Why did you push me? How could you?” Liana cried.

Jasper grilled his teeth, wiping away the lipstick on his face. “You know I despise being forced against my will.”

Liana felt Indignant when she heard Jasper say the word “forced.”

That was the first time Liana took the initiative to kiss him first. How could he see it as being forced?

“But Jasper, I’m your fiancée! How could you? How could you say that of me?” Liana’s eyes reddened with tears.

“You knew from the start that I never liked women who made the first move, nor can I tolerate intimate acts.” Jasper’s tone was icy.

Liana muttered, “I know I’ve always known.

Liana knew that due to his upbringing and childhood trauma, he always had a hard time being intimate with the opposite S**. Being able to communicate his emotions was already a big improvement for him.

He was such a fine man. If it hadn’t been Alyssa who took him away from her, it would have been some other woman.

Jasper’s hand curled into a fist, recalling Alice’s cold gaze from afar. “You say you’ve always known, but you seem to have wilfully forgotten about it since we started dating again.”

What was this emotion he was feeling?

It felt like he had made a grave mistake. Guilt flooded his being, yet he couldn’t tell what he had done wrong.

He had never felt so helpless in his life.

“But we’re about to marry, Jasper!” Liana yelled, trying to lean into Jasper’s chest. “We’re not children anymore. We can’t just hold hands forever! We’re supposed to share a bed and have children together one day!”

Jasper had thought marrying Liana was what he wanted.

But why did it feel less like the truth the closer they got to the wedding date?

Only fear and doubt plagued him now.

The venue door suddenly opened, and Jonah walked out with lumbering footsteps.

Jasper thought he might be drunk and didn’t follow him.

Liana, meanwhile, had a devious grin on her face.

Meanwhile, Alyssa had changed back into her original clothes backstage. She was about to leave when a maid ran up to her.

“Ms. White! Something has happened! Something has happened to Mr. Taylor. He’s currently resting in one of the guestrooms. You should check on him. He looked like he was in serious pain!”

Upon hearing this, Alyssa nodded. “Lead the way!”

After Jasper and Jonah left the table, Landon was left alone in the venue. Feeling bored, he decided to take a walk in the gardens.

Fairy lights and retro street lamps were scattered here and there in the garden, forming quite the sight with the inky blue sky and its glittering stars.

Landon thought the lamps had a beautiful warm light, like individual drops of moonlight. The sound of crickets chimed from the background as he strolled.

Just then, he stopped in his tracks and turned around. “Show yourself!”

But nothing answered himn save the continuous cricket song.

He thought that it could be a stray cat playing in the bushes.

Landon was about to continue walking when that sound rang out again. He frowned and lightened his steps, walking toward its source.

With a firm swallow, he asked, “Who’s there?”

He then pushed the bush apart to see who it was.

“Laurie? Is that you?! What are you doing here?”

“I… I don’t know. What “What happened? Are you sick? You can’t stay here!”

Landon didn’t know what had happened to Lauren. He scooped her up from the ground. But when their skin care in contact, he was stunned at how feverish she was.

“Are you having a lever?!” he asked worriedly.

“Help–Help me “Lauren’s vision blurred out as she gasped weakly.