âAh, my chronic illness has flared upagain. Itâs not a big deal.âNewton comforted Alyss a by caressing her head. His face was a shade of sickly grey.
Her chest tightened at the sight. She held his right hand and checked his pulse. A mo ment later, she addressed him sternly, âGrandpa,I will visit you weekly toperform acupuncture. Iâll give you a new prescription. You shouldnât slack on taking your meds. Iâll get Mr. Gorham to keep a tab on you.â
âAlice, things are different now. YouâreWinstonâs beloved daughter. How could I trouble you?
âI heard from Jasper that you are runningthe Taylor Groupâs hotel business as well. That must be very stressful for you. You donât have to travel back and forth. Mr. Gorham will take care of me.âNewton longed to see Alyss a but worried that the traveling might tire her.
She was surprised that Jasper would discuss her with Newton. Jasper had been neglectful and dismissive in the past, but he started thinking about her after the divorce. How ridiculous!
âIâm Winstonâs daughter, but Iâm yourgranddaughter too!â Lifting a brow, Alyss a slapped her thigh. âI am free to go anywhere and do anything I want. Winston doesnât have a say in that! Hmph! 11 Newton and Lauren laughed at her adorable antics.
Alyssaâs phone was buzzing. She checked her screen and saw a text from Sean. He wrote, âEverythingâs in order. Waiting for your approval.â
The luxurious stage in the ballroom was decorated with fresh flowers. The lights beyond the stage dimmed as the stage basked in a brilliant spotlight.
Jasper and Landon arrived late at the ballroom. Despite their low-profile entrance, they immediately became the center of attraction.
All eyes were on the two men as the guests gossiped.
âIâm surprised that the haughty and self-important Mr. Beckett showed up at Ms. Gardnerâs birthday party. She must have some solid connections.â
âYou are na ive to believe that this is just abirthday party. Did you notice that her parents and Jasper Beckettâs parents are here? Theyâre using the birthday party as a platform for an important announcement.â
âOh, is that so? I guess I made the rightdecision to attend. Will there be drama later?â
âTsk tsk. Didnât they say that comparison is the thief of joy? As a close friend of the Becketts, I heard that Jasper Beckett didnât even host a proper wedding for his first wife. That poor thing wasted three pitiful years by his side.
âLook at him now. If heâs willing to throwa grand birthday party for his girlfriend, we can expect a wedding of the century. I would be so upset if I were his ex-wife!â
The gossip hit Jasper hard, leaving him hurt and damaged on the inside.
Before the divorce, it never occurred to him that he had wronged Alyssa. After the divorce, he found himself under intense scrutiny and faced harsh public judgment as his previous actions were cruelly brought to light.
âJasper, you alright? Why do you looksick?â Landon frowned and elbowed his friend.
âIâm okay.âJasper took a deep breath tocalm himself.
Javier and Lianaâs parents were seated in the first row, as though they were there for their kidsâmatrimony. There was a light show going on as joyful music filled the air.
Amid the roaring applause, Liana, dressed in a ha ute co uture off-shoulder silver evening dress and decked in jewelry worth millions, walked in with Sophia by her side. She bowed to the audience.
âWow! Look! Sheâs wearing a hautecouture dress by Rose Emerson!âsomeone gasped.
âHow gorgeous! How did she get herhands on a dress worth millions just for a birthday party? The Becketts must love her so.â
Liana was on cloud nine upon hearing the compliments and applause from the audience. The only thing missing was Jasperâhe should have been standing by her side. Still, that did not take away the glamour of the event.
Sheâd be a majestic pr incess of the night!
âLadies and gentlemen, thank you fortaking the time to celebrate my nice, Liaâs birthday. Lia will cherish this day forever.â
She gently caressed Lianaâs hand with a gaze so affectionate that she seemed more like Lianaâs birth mother.âWeâd also like to make an important announcement on this occasion.â
The audience hushed. Javierâs smile was hard to decipher. Meanwhile, Lianaâs parents stared at the stage with eager eyes.
âOur Lia will soon be officially engaged toJasper!â