Zoeâs back was to the entrance, so Jasperâs gaze was fixed right on her.
âJasper â¦â she murmured, blushing red as she strode up to him.
Suddenly, a sensual scent, like the smell of roses, wafted in from around her, whispering of danger.
Someone walked past her, their heels clicking loudly against the floor. Zoe felt herself overcome by their force of unwavering confidence.
Jasper stared sternly at Alyssa as she walked over to them. The latter was clad in a womanâs suit, and her fiery red lipstick made his heart leap at the sight.
A wave of intense gossip and hushed conversations swept through the crowd. It was impossible for anyone not to have noticed her by this point.
Sophia and Betty were both left in shock by her sudden arrival.
âHold on, I recognize her-she was featured in a magazine not too long ago. Sheâs the daughter of Winston Taylor, who happens to be the President of KS Group, and she also manages KS World Hotel!â
âYeah! Her name is Alyssa Taylor!â
âWas she the one who had been involved with Jasper Beckett? One look at her, and youâd swoon!â
âSheâs like a modern-day Queen of Sheba. Just look at how regal and elegant she is,â
âI donât know who youâre referring to. All I know is that she and Jasper Beckett complement each other very well. They should seriously consider uniting their families through marriage!â
Jasper, who had been getting irritated listening to the gossip, relaxed upon hearing that last sentence.
It didnât sound too bad.
Zoe was furious from the tips of her toes to the ends of her ears as Alyssa stole everyoneâs attention away from herself. What was even more infuriating was the passion and fervor in Jasperâs eyes as he gazed at Alyssa.
Zoe couldnât recall him ever looking so alive or eager toward another woman.
Was he still in love with Alyssa?
âI hope Mr. Jasper and Madam Ada can pardon my unannounced intrusion,â Alyssa greeted the two with a smile.
She had opted to address Ada as âMadamâ to show respect, particularly due to their age difference and the formality of the situation.
âOf course not, Ms. Alyssa.â Jasper could only nod in her direction. âI wouldâve sent you an invitation if I had known you were joining us tonight.â
Alyssaâs smile didnât reach her eyes. âNo need to trouble yourself with that, Mr. Jasper. I have no intention of participating in your party tonight.â
That made Jasperâs expression fall just the slightest.
Behind him, Xavier was frantically texting the guards outside the hotel.
âWhat is going on?â
âWeâre so sorry, Mr. Xavier! We have no idea where Ms. Alyssa entered from eitherâ¦â
Î âWhat? Were any of you doing your jobs properly? She canât have appeared out of thin air!â
âWe will take full responsibility for our mistakes, sir. Weâll get Ms. Alyssa out right away!â