Chapter 565

Jasper tried to suppress his cough. Nevertheless, upon entering the villa, a fit of coughing seized

him, likely triggered by inhaling the blend of cold and warm air.

"Mr. Jasper!" Mrs. Rosie exclaimed and went up to him. She felt sorry looking at him coughing his

lungs out. "What's wrong? You have a bad cough. Did you catch a cold?"

"I'm fine. Mrs. Rosie, just get me some water," he instructed, hiding the fact that he was injured

That did not lessen Mrs. Rosie's concerns. "But you don't look fine at all! Why don't we get the

family doctor to check on you?"

"I'm really fine. I just need to take some medications," he reassured her with a smile.

Just then, the butler, Barry Durham, announced, "Mr. Jasper, Mr. Javier would like to talk to you in

his study.”

Jasper frowned at the scene that greeted him in Javier's study. Javier was on the couch with Sophia,

both dressed in matching silk nightrobes.

She had put on some light makeup, and her hair was tousled. She leaned limply in Javier's arms and

occasionally planted kisses on him.

Jasper nearly left the study after witnessing the disconcerting scene.

"Okay, that's enough. Jasper is here," Javier reminded Sophia, as he wasn't completely thick-skinned.

Sophia responded by lazily tracing circles on Javier's chest with her slender fingers, casting him a

flirtatious look. "We'll continue from where we left off later.”

The more she aged, the more coquettish she became.

With a sullen face, Jasper asked, "What's the matter, Dad?"

Javier probed, "How are your preparations for your mom's upcoming birthday party going?"

"My mom's birthday party?" Jasper's smile took on a chilling undertone. "I've spent Mom's birthdays

with her at her grave. You've never made any effort for her, let alone visit her. So, why did you

suddenly take an interest in it?"

Javier's expression froze, taken aback by Jasper's retort.

Jasper continued, "If you're talking about Sophia's birthday, forgive me; that has nothing to do with

me. I'm not prepared for it at all.”

Jasper's smile faded as he added, "Sophia is your wife and Betty's mom. The two of you can take

care of her party. I see no reason for me to get involved as an outsider.”

Javier was enraged when he heard Jasper describing himself as an outsider. He snapped, "Aren't you

part of the Beckett family too? How dare you act like an ungrateful brat when you're benefiting

from the Beckett Group and sitting in the role of the president?”

Sophia leaned into Javier, wearing a sly smirk.

In the past, Jasper might have engaged in an argument with his father. But now, he had no intention

of speaking to his father, who had fallen entirely under the influence of Sophia and Betty's

manipulations.

He said, "Do you have anything else to discuss? If not, I'll retire to my room.”

"Jasper Beckett, I'm not finished with you! Get back here!" Javier sprang up from the couch, nearly

toppling Sophia in the process.

Jasper paused in his tracks, standing tall without looking back. He declared, "Oh, I almost forgot to

mention—I won't be attending Sophia's birthday party.”

Sophia's expression soured upon hearing this. She demanded, "What do you mean?"

Javier was equally astonished and exclaimed, "Are you ditching your family event for the Taylors’

party instead?”

"Indeed, I am. Is there a problem with that?"