Jasperâs entourage stared at each other in shock, especially Xavier, who looked like he was struck by lightning.
Noticing Jasperâs grim expression, Liana tried to be thoughtful and quickly comforted him. Jasper, donât worry. Itâs just a rose garden. You can still reach out to the many rose gardens across the country.â
Jasper removed his arm from her grip while she was talking. The impact of his movement caused her to stumble backward in an embarrassing moment.
âLetâs go, Mr. Schmidt.âAlyssa didnâtbother to take another look at Jasper and Liana. She beamed gently at Jameson instead.
âSure. Iâve made a reservation at therestaurant. We can leave at any time now.â
Jasper felt suffocated when Alyssa and Jameson exchanged smiles. His brows knitted in anger as he stepped forward to stand in Jamesonâs way.
âMr. Schmidt, letâs talk in private.â Jasperdid not falter even after he had lost the deal.
âIf this is about the rose garden project, Ihave nothing more to discuss with you.âJameson was unwilling to waste more time on Jasper.
âWhat if this is for something else?âJasper cast an enigmatic gaze on Alyssa.
â¦
Jameson brought Jasper to a pavilio n in the rose garden. They sat across each other. They might be surrounded by roses, but the air was tense and frigid.
âPlease keep it short. I have a date withMs. Taylor.âJameson checked his wristwatch impatiently.
âA date? I thought you were talkingbusiness with her.âJasper refused to back down in front of another man when it was about Alyssa.âYou might be the only one who saw it as a date. I knew my wife of three years better than you.â
âIs that so?âJameson shrugged andmocked, âThree years of sham marriage. Why are you confident that you know her better than I do?â
Jasper clenched his fists as his eyes clouded with hostility.âDid you look into me?â
Jameson shook his head with a smile.âEverything I do is out of my interest in Lyse. It has nothing to do with you.
âShe did not snatch your rose gardenpartnership from you. In fact, I was waiting for her all along. I wonât give up my rose garden to anyone except for Lyse.
âI know your secretary contacted my menin private. I didnât have a chance to tell you in person that I have never wanted to work with the Beckett Group.â
Jameson kept dropping Alyssaâs nickname to show off their intimate relationship.
Jasper drew a breath with fury in his eyes. âJameson Schmidt, I know a few thingsabout you even if you havenât been back for long. Those who donât know you, like Alyssa, might be deceived by your façade, but I wonât. I am aware of the stuff you did in Kontina.â
Jameson Schmidt was a notoriously cruel character in Kontina. He was the epitome of wealth and desire to everyone. His romantic and gentlemanly act in front of Alyss a showed how calculative he could be.
Jasper shouldnât have concerned himself with Alyssaâs matters after the divorce, but he was enraged and fearful at her growing relationship with Jameson.
The smile froze on Jamesonâs face. He lazily nudged his glasses but did not refute Jasperâs accusation.
âYou always have women swarmingaround you. But you shouldnât to y around with Alyssa. Sheâs not your plaything when you feel like messing around. Youâd be foolish to think youâll win her over with a few bouquets of roses.â Jasperâs good-looking features frosted up.
A few seconds later, Jameson chortled.âThatâs odd. You seem to care about her and reluctant to let her go. So, why did you divorce her and marry someone else?â
It was a point I need question that shook Jasper at his core. A jolt of electricity coursed through his body.
âI know I am a character. I might be evil,but at least I have true feelings for Lyse and loyal to her. Itâs better than marrying Lyse and hurting her by longing for another woman like you did.
âAnyone could accuse me of my behavior,just not you.âJameson grew increasingly harsh in his reply.âI donât care if you feel remorseful or not. You are divorced.
Whoever she dates and falls in love with is none of your business.â
Jameson made his way out of the pavilion but came to a halt. He turned to face Jasper, who was now as stiff as a statue.âI have been planning this for years. Your three years of marriage is nothing compared to my wait.â
Sitting alone in the pavilion, Jasper paled and trembled when he replayed Jamesonâs words.