The online buzz surrounding Zoe and Jasperâs ârendezvousâ continued to escalate. Both the Beckett Group and the Harper Group PR teams worked tirelessly to mitigate the controversy. Still, the widespread dissemination of videos and photos made it difficult to quell the public discussion.
Even if they managed to take relevant hashtags off the trending topics, they couldnât stop people from discussing it.
Penelope dropped her phone in shock and slipped down the stairs when she saw the trending topics.
Thankfully, she was near the landing and merely stumbled a few steps down. Still, she suffered from a sprained ankle and hurt her head.
Landon was badly shocked by his momâs injuries and sent her to the hospital overnight.
Penelope, while on an IV drip, held Landonâs hands tightly and sobbed. âLandon, what do we do? Zoe is only 22. How is she going to live her life with this stain? What can I say to your grandpa and your dad?â
Then, she cried hysterically. Landon swallowed hard and sat by her side with a troubled look. He promised, âMom, I will take care of this.â
âAnd how will you do that? There are photos and videos on the internet! Zoe is still unmarried. Now that sheâs involved in the scandal, no self-respecting family would want her as a daughter-in-law!â
âZoe is my sister, and I wonât tolerate anyone gossiping about her,â Landon declared, his eyes burning with anger.
âThe weight of gossip will crush her! Do you think it was 20 years ago when our family was above the law? We are under the rule of law. You canât do anything about it!â Penelope wailed and punched her bed.
Landon furrowed his brows as he recalled his familyâs origins. The Harpers started off as gangsters.
Landonâs grandpa, Cornelius Harper, had been involved in fights and killings to build his familyâs fortune.
When the times changed, Cornelius retired from the scene and slowly legalized Harper Groupâs operations to prevent his offspring from going down the same path.
When Landonâs dad was appointed the president, the groupâs operations had been legalized. Still, the family couldnât shake off the influence of the groupâs origin and worked with both the authorities and the criminals. Landonâs dad got into many arguments with Cornelius and Preston Harper over the issue.
Landon always perceived his dad as soft and egotistical. If he were the one running Harper Group, he would have been the patriarch by now, and Preston would have been reined in.
âThis happened because of your friend, and he has not made a statement until now! Is he going to ignore âStop speaking ill of Jasper, Mom! Heâs not what you think!â Landon defended his friend.
âBut the reporters have photos of them together! He canât deny that!â Penelope retorted.
âThere must be a reason for those photos. Jasper isnât interested in Zoe. He has feelings for someone élse. He would never sleep with Zoe,â Landon argued anxiously.
âZoe is your sister! How can you defend an outsider when sheâs the victim?â Penelope snapped.
âMom, I-â
âThereâs only one solution now. Jasper must take responsibility for Zoe!â
Landon looked alarmed. âWhat does that mean?â
âIâll get discharged as soon as possible, and Iâll meet with the Becketts to discuss marriage,â Penelope declared determinedly.
âCut the drama! Jasper will never marry Zoe, even if you point a gun at his head!â Landon bellowed and jumped in rage.
âHe doesnât have a say,â Penelope insisted fiercely, her usual vulnerability replaced by determination.
âA man should take responsibility for his actions. If he refuses to marry Zoe, heâll offend the Harper family.
âEven if I donât intervene, your grandpa wonât stay silent. He wonât allow his granddaughter to be mistreated. Jasper is wrong to assume the Harpers wonât act just because heâs Javier Beckettâs son.â