Still, one couldnât help but find him to be much less enthusiastic than before.
Lauren and Betty sat in front of their parents, with Lauren hunched tight around the teddy bear Alyssa had given her so as to comfort herself.
Betty wore a cocktail dress that had just been released to the market recently, looking quite the model big sister beside Lauren.
âTonight is Momâs big day, Lauren. Why didnât you put on any makeup?â Betty asked, a faux grin on her face as she gently caressed Laurenâs long, sleek hair.
âDo you not know how to? You should have told me earlier. I would have loved to help.â
Lauren tensed up instantly, her lips pressing tightly together.
âThat perm I gave you before was such a good look on you. I could have given you one today, too,â
Betty snickered.
All of a sudden, Lauren slapped Bettyâs hand away.
Both Sophia and Javier were shocked by this. They had never seen their youngest daughter behave like.
this.
âOw! What was that for, Lauren? It hurts!â Betty cried, acting like she was the victim.
×× â¦ never wanted you to do my makeovers. You were the one who forced me every time!â Lauren tv bear exclaimed, glaring at Betty as she held tightly onto her teddy Javier narrowed his eyes inquisitively, glancing at Betty.
âWhat⦠What did you say?â Betty asked, astonished.
âAnd I hate that perm you gave me⦠I hate it so much! Can you not do that to me anymore?â Lauren gritted out, her voice laced with hatred.
âWhat is your sister talking about, Betty?â Javier asked sternly.
âDad, you know how Lauren is! She says nonsensical things out of the blue sometimes. I donât really know what sheâs talking about either. Betty said sheepishly, playing dumb.
Sophia quickly changed the subject, holding Javierâs arm. âJavier, is ⦠is Jasper really going to the Taylor familyâs celebration and not to ours?â
âIâm not sure.â
âI donât mean anything else, just that it might be for the best if he shows up.â Sophia said, playing the gracious card.
âIt would make more sense for Jasper to attend Mandy Lovelaceâs birthday, given that it would help our family if we had good relations with hers.
âBut this is just Lyla Nelsonâs birthday, who doesnât even come from anywhere influential. I heard she had embarrassed herself in the entertainment industry when she was in her youth, too.
âWho knows what nonsense the media is going to write if they find out Jasper is attending her birthday celebration?â
Sophiaâs gaze darkened as she continued, âPlus, Lyla is the least noteworthy wife Winston Taylor has.
In fact, sheâs no more than a concubine. I donât think someone like her is worth the attention of Beckett Groupâs CEO. What do you think?â
For some reason, the term âconcubineâ made Javier deeply comfortable, even making him reminisce.
about Jasperâs birth mother.
âLyla didnât have any support back then, but now she has Winston Taylor. That means sheâs no longer as helpless and lowly.
âIf it hadnât been for what had happened in her youth, she would have made it to far greater heights in the industry too and not have ended up being Winstonâs third wife, Javier commented.
Sophia bit back her shock, then asked gently. âDid I misspeak, Javier?â
âI heard Dad is going to attend the party too, to catch up with Winston, Javier continued, his tone neutral, âItâs not like Lyla is the only person worth paying a visit to tonight. Did you forget how important Winston Taylor himself is? Just let the old man and his grandson go on their way. Iâm too tired to bother with all this,â Javier concluded.
What was going on? Sophia was baffled. Why had Javierâs attitude shifted so drastically?
She chuckled awkwardly, unable to say much else.
Meanwhile, Lauren had found a cozy position to curl up in and was currently dozing off. She had been spending her days and nights with Landon before, after all, and hadnât had good sleep given how often he wanted to kiss or cuddle with her.