âYou cannot allow the others to read your mind through your actions. Itâs a risky behavior, Javier cautioned Betty.
âGot it, Dad.â
Then, Javier made a video call to Jasper. Jasperâs stoic face appeared on the screen.
Seeing that, Betty clung tighter onto Javierâs arm in an attempt to put on the act of a loving family.
Jasper ignored her and asked, âWhatâs the matter?â
âYour sister has secured the partnership with Ada Kingsley. We just need you to formalize the agreement,â Javier instructed him. âMeet her as soon as you can and close the deal.â
volle .
âYou wonât need me at all if Ada is on board, Jasper answered with a smirk. âCongratulations in advance, Betty. Youâve won a project from Alyssa that will surely help your career.
woman, âAs you are a capable I will leave the contract signing to you, I wouldnât want to steal your thunder.â
Betty smoldered in anger, but without Jasperâs help, she could not resolve the awkward situation with Ada.
âJasper, Betty is your little sister. Sheâs done her best to move the deal to this stage. Canât you lend her a helping hand?â Javier hissed, anger burning in his eyes âShe is responsible for the outcome of this partnership. There is no free lunch in this world. How can you expect me to do the dirty work while she takes all the credit?â
Javier was nettled when Jasper talked back to him. He bellowed, âJasper Beckett!â
âIf you want to get this done, why donât you speak to Ada in person? I believe that handling a celebrity is a piece of cake for the groupâs chairman.â With that, Jasper hung up on him.
The Harpers were in trouble as well. Penelope Miller had been in competition against Lucille Schmidt in hosting a jewelry charity auction.
She had almost closed the discussions with Vincentâs team, only to receive the disheartening news yesterday that Vincent had decided to collaborate with the Schmidts instead.
Crushed, Penelope sank into a foul mood after her previous efforts went down the drain.
Zoe felt a growing resentment as she watched her mother struggle. She knew the reason behind Vincentâs sudden change of mind. It was a deliberate move to avenge Alyssa.
Zoe retired to her room, where she paced back and forth with rage. Feeling utterly powerless, che decided to reach out to her fair-weather friend Betty.
She said, âHey, Betty, Iâm in a terrible mood today. How about joining me tonight at Landonâs nightclub for a party? Letâs have a few drinks.â
âUgh! Zoe, drop it. Iâm down in the dumps as well,â Betty groaned and shared with Zoe the trouble with Ada. âWe might have foiled Ada and Alyssaâs partnership, but I didnât get anything out of it. Itâs frustrating!
âDonât worry too much. Ada might be too proud to admit that she had made a mistake. Sheâll come around in a few days,â Zoe replied.
Zoe wandered into her dressing room and browsed through the branded items in her wardrobe. She asked casually. âSo many things have been happening lately, and itâs all getting to me. Betty, can you help me take my mind off things in any way?â
Betty was taken aback by the request. It didnât take long for her to understand the meaning behind Zoeâs words. She grinned and assured her friend, âDonât worry. Iâll make sure you have the time of your life tonight!â