Chapter 471

Chapter 471

Alyssa was quiet on the way from Belbanks to Solana City. There was no hint of her good mood

from days ago. Her face was shrouded in gloominess.

Back at the hotel, she kept Sean out and locked herself in her office. Then, she plunged into her

investigations about Lyla’s incident years ago.

“The anniversary celebration was the darkest moment in Lyla's life. Yet, it was because of this

incident that her relationship with Winston Taylor blossomed,” wrote an article.

“The internet was in its early stages back in those days. People read their news from magazines or

newspapers.

"Winston Taylor was rumored to have bought all the publications that reported on the incident and

destroyed all the evidence to suppress the news.

"On top of that, he meted out punishments for the reporters who penned stories on Lyla's mishap.”

"Still, there were some foreign media at the event. Someone filmed the incident and uploaded it to

the internet. Winston Taylor had sent his men to take the videos down, but fragments of it lingered

on the

internet.”

Alyssa inhaled deeply and stared keenly at the computer screen while typing away furiously. Before

long, she unearthed a blurry recording of the event that had remained buried for over two decades.

In the video, a visibly pale Lyla Nelson was half squatting and shaking violently. She appeared

vulnerable,

teetering on the brink of a breakdown.

The spotlight shone mercilessly on top of her head, further intensifying her despair. The audience's

horrified gasps and mocking jeers inundated her, almost drowning and crushing her.

At that moment, a tall figure rushed up to the stage and marched steadily toward her. Alyssa could

tell he

was Winston from the look of his back.

Without a word, he swiftly removed his jacket, knelt before Lyla, and secured it around her waist.

A hushed silence fell over the audience. Then, the recording abruptly ended.

Alyssa stared blankly at the screen. She leaned into the chair with slumped shoulders. Was that how

Winston won Lyla's heart?

She mused, “Interesting? That old man is certainly an expert in wooing women. He could very well

have

founded his own school on the subject.”

1/3

She was interrupted by her phone's ringing. Gathering herself, she picked up her phone and said,

“Sean,

what is it?"

“Landon Harper is here with his sister.”

Alyssa initially wished to turn Landon and Zoe away due to her foul mood over Lyla's past incident,

but

she changed her mind when Sean revealed that Landon had brought Zoe over to offer an apology.

Perhaps the sight of a disgruntled Zoe would lift her spirits. She decided to see it as a form of

entertainment, as finding joy in another's misfortune could be rather satisfying.

Sean, his expression marked by a frown, came to her by the entrance of the guest meeting room.

He

whispered, “Sorry, Ms. Alyssa. I wasn't informed that Jasper Beckett had tagged along as well. He's

in

there.”

She looked at him coldly and asked, “Why didn’t you punch him in the face and kick him out?”

“I'm sorry, Ms. Alyssa,” replied Sean, who knew he didn't do his job right.

The problem was that Jasper was sneaky. When Sean led Landon and Zoe into the meeting room,

Jasper

wasn't there.

However, when Sean came back to check, he was aghast to see that bastard sitting on the couch

and

sipping coffee unabashed.

“Whatever. You can't beat him anyway,” scorned Alyssa, who gestured at Sean to open the door

with a lift

of her chin.

Then, she strutted into the room with a regal air in her high heels and black suit.

“Lyse..." Landon rose from the couch. His throat was dry from the nervousness.

Alyssa was as breathtaking as usual. She looked just like a beautiful and heartless gangster. Her

beauty

shook him.

Jasper glanced at Alyssa, feeling tense all over. His heart skipped a beat.

All the while, Zoe was hiding behind Landon, staring squarely at Alyssa’s haughty expression with

clenched fists.

"Wow. Everyone's here,” remarked Alyssa, who shook off her jacket from her shoulders. Sean

promptly received it.

Next, she turned to Jasper, who had been staring at her. She snickered. “Oh, Jasper, you are such a

darling. Are you here to lend your support for Ms. Harper?”

The way Alyssa mimicked Zoe's tone irked Jasper. He shot her a begrudging look and coughed in

anger

at her taunting expression.

Alyssa had been mean to him as usual and would say things that he hated. That was Alyssa for you.

She

was no Alice White. And Jasper was willing to deal with a rose with thorns.

Zoe was gleeful to see Alyssa misunderstood Jasper's purpose of visit. She grabbed her chance and

trotted over to Jasper with a pitiful look.

"Alyssa, I was a bad judge of character, that I admit. But why are you getting worse by the day as

well?”

Jasper remained poised and looked at her with an expression that wasn't completely innocent.

Jasper stated, “I'm not anyone's lover. I'm just your ex-husband. I was exhausted enough as a

husband. I had no time and mood for anyone else.”

Hearing that, Zoe stood frozen as though she was struck by lightning. Jasper had cleared the air

with her some time ago, but she refused to let go and clung to her delusions.

The way he clarified his relationship with Zoe in front of Alyssa was a slap to her face.

“I am indeed here to lend some support, but not to Ms. Harper,” commented Jasper, who quickly

hid his embarrassment by sipping coffee.

He forced himself to down the piping hot coffee, scalding his tongue in the process

He was fine with these sentiments roaming his mind. Declaring them out loud, however, was rather

embarrassing.

Frowning, Alyssa was surprised by the meaning behind his words. Who else would he lend his

support to if not Zoe? Was he here to support Landon?

Well, that was no different from supporting Zoe!