Preston was halfway through his speech when Zoe burst into tears. She moaned, âGrandpa, Uncle Preston, I am so ashamed and done for! I should just end my life!â
âDear child, donât cry. I will take care of this for you,â Cornelius soothed her. As a retired businessman who had once dominated the playing field, he was aghast at the treatment his family received.
He shattered the teapot and seethed, âSo, is Jasper Beckett thinking of shirking his responsibility? Heâs going to regret it.
âLandon, didnât your mom get hurt after hearing about the scandal? Sheâs in the hospital, right?â
Landon gulped and sank into silence.
âWhen sheâs out of the hospital, meet with the Becketts to discuss marriage. If you donât, I will!â
Cornelius threatened.
âGrandpa, can we calm down for a bit?â Landon growled. He was at his limits when he learned that his family planned to cause a ruckus at the Beckettsâ.
âLandon, if I recall correctly, youâre like brothers with Jasper Beckett,â said Preston, who crossed his legs and nonchalantly watched the drama unfold. âIsnât it good news that your sister married your good friend? I donât understand why youâd protest against the marriage.â
âI know Jasper well exactly because Iâm close to him,â Landon blurted out.
He had no choice but to admit, âJasper has someone in his heart-Alyssa Taylor, the only daughter of Winston and Jennifer Taylor!â
The others froze upon hearing Alyssaâs name. A hint of deference flashed across Corneliusâ eyes, which was rare for the usually ruthless old man.
âZoe, you have professed a few times to Jasper, didnât you? Youâve pulled many tricks on him. Do you think they worked? Has Jasper paid you any attention?â Landon hissed at Zoe.
Zoe quivered and replied, âL-Landon, what are you talking about?â
âAfter all your efforts, he did not even take a look at you. So, tell me, how could he have possibly met you at the hotel for a night together?
âZoe, are you forcing me to be blunt with you? When will you ever learn?â Landon grew furious, his veins throbbing.
Despite smiling, Preston secretly cursed London out.
âYou should quit worrying about Zoeâs marriage. Iâll introduce her to someone rich, but he is definitely not Jasper Beckett,â Landon declared. The air in the study immediately grew heavy.
Zoeâs glee had changed into glumness.
âLandon, I am confused. Who else can Zoe marry if not Jasper?â Preston asserted with an air of authority.
He added, âIf the Beckett Group doesnât agree to take her in, they will be humiliating us. They are basically saying that Zoe, a precious granddaughter and sister, is nothing more than Jasper Beckettâs plaything that can be discarded at whim. What do they take us as?â
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