As the visitors gradually exited the rose garden, only Alyss a and Liana were left behind in the endless sea of roses.
In the fading light, Alyssaâs bare face looked as luminous as the moon, to the envy of Liana. Putting aside their grudges, Liana had to admit that Alyssa was an extraordinary beauty.
Alyssaâs beauty evoked fear and resentment in Liana. After all, Alyssa had spent three years under the same roof with Jasper, despite their relationship being a sham marriage.
She bit the bullet and went up to Alyssa while flicking her straight hair. She no longer looked like the frail woman when she was around Jasper. She flashed Alyssa a victorious grin.
âYou found a new love r pretty fast. Quiteskillful, arenât you? You should have done that sooner. No matter how much you bother Jasper, he will not take another look at you.â
Alyssa stared at Liana, as though she was staring at a madwoman.âWhy would I want his attention like a peacock?â
Liana choked and silently cursed at Alyssa. She showed her trump card next. âIâll tell you some good news since we ran into each other. Iâm getting engaged with Jasper at my birthday party.â
âIs that so? Congratulations, but I donâthave any gift for you,â Alyssa replied mindlessly.
Liana was enraged at Alyssaâs indifference, which she perceived as an affront.âYou can deny it as much as you want, but Iâm sure you are secretly pissed off. You canât do anything about it. I will be Jasperâs spouse, and you will be a joke in Solana City.â
âHey, Liana Gardner. Every time we meet, you are either screaming about winning over Jasper or showing off your relationship. Is that your life?
Do you have nothing to show except for a divorce e as your boyfriend?â Alyssa sighed in boredom. She lost some brain cells every time she spoke to Liana.
Even so, it was hard not to clap back at an arrogant and ignorant bitch like Liana.
âWhat did you say?â Liana glowered atAlyssa.
âI understand the urge to show offbecause youâre marrying up, but you should at least talk to the right person. He might be a treasure in your eyes, but heâs just trash to me. Itâs all meaningless, donât you think?â
Trash?
Lianaâs face was flushed when she retorted, âThis is pure sour grapes!The meaner you are, the more you care about my engagement with Jasper! You call him trash only because youâre upset! Who wouldnât be if they were abandoned by their lovers after wasting three years of their lives!â
Alyssaâs eyes frosted up. Her dagger-like gaze gave Liana the chills.
âYou have to learn when to stop. Youshouldnât cross a line just because Iâve backed down. My kindness is not a green light for running your mouth. This is my last warningâdo not take advantage of my courtesy, or youâll suffer, Ashley.â
The mention of âAshleyâ was akin to dropping a bomb on Liana. She was ashen-faced and badly shaken. Feeling the blood rushing through her veins, she held her breath and stumbled backward.
âWhatâs with that look?â Alyssa grinnedwhen she saw Lianaâs pale face.âWasnât Ashley your name when you were studying in Mosgravia? Iâve never come across anyone like you who jumps at the mention of their name.â
âI donât know who is Ashley. This is myfirst time hearing the name. I donât know what youâre on about,âLiana fervently denied any association with the name as her breathing became shallow.
Ashley was an easy woman and a gold-digger, the exact opposite of Lianaâs prim and proper persona she crafted for Jasper.
Alyss a narrowed her eyes. With a dangerous gleam, she inched closer to Liana with her arms behind her back. She bent over and flashed a hostile and knowing smile at Liana.