“Lia, this is your chance to turn the tables!” Rosaline excitedly pinched Liana. “Make an excuse and get


    Mr. Jasper here. He must witness this scene. This will force him to give up on that little


    whore!”


    “B–But Mom, he’s at work now. He rarely goes shopping on the weekends with me, not to mention on a


    weekday. And…” Liana lowered her voice with a mysterious gleam in her eyes.


    She continued, “I’ve gained his favor with the rpse of my ‘severe depression.‘ I need to behave


    well to win his heart. It’s not the time to stir trouble.


    Η


    “You dimwit!” Rosaline jabbed Liana on the forehead. “It’s unreasonable to make him spend time with


    you during work hours. But things are different if you have a solid excuse. It will be a chance


    to take your rtionship to the next level!”


    She went off, “Being naively considerate is the start of a tragedy! Men are contradictory and


    shameless, you know. They don’t like obedient women.


    “You’ll boost his ego and self–worth if you look for his help immediately when you’re in trouble. It


    makes him feel good when you rely on him!”


    Liana’s eyes darted. She disagreed with Rosaline’s opinion.


    When her dad, Andrew, was in power and their family wealthy, Rosaline hadtched herself onto


    him like a wisteria. The more she did that, the more he dismissed her. Not only did he keep a few


    mistresses, but he also yelled at her in front of the maids at home.


    Rosaline had to endure humiliation to secure her position as Mrs. Gardner. Her wish came true


    when she was fifty years old. By then, the Kirkman family was in decline, and Andrew was riddled


    with chronic illnesses.


    Now, Rosaline was left with the nominal title of Mrs. Gardner and became the joke of the upper society.


    Her life endeavors had gone down the drain.


    “I’ll call Mr. Jasper soon. I’ll tell him that you came shopping alone and that I couldn’t get in touch with


    you. He knows you’re emotionaltely. If he’s worried about you, he’ll drop everything and


    Grinning, Rosaline ced a hand on Liana’s shoulder. “When he sees his good friend flirting with his


    ex–wife, he’ll only hate Alice White more!”


    Jasper received a call from Rosaline when he retur


    this office aftar


    “Mr. Jasper! Has Lia contacted you?” Rosaline sounded nervous.


    “No. Why?”


    “She said she wanted to go shopping because she was in a low mood. But she refused to let me go


    with her. She didn’t want to be seen as a patient.


    “A few hours passed, and I couldn’t reach her by phone. Now, her phone’s turned off. C–Could


    something bad have happened to her?”


    The thought of Liana’s severe depression made his heart sink. He questioned, “Did Lia tell you


    where she went?”


    “She said she wanted to shop at the new mall near the KS Grand Hotel. That’s all


    “Got it. I’ll look for her now. She’ll be fine.”


    Frowning, he hung up, grabbed his jacket, and left the office.


    “Get the car.”


    Jasper arrived at the mall as soon as possible. He strode into the mall with urgency while calling


    Liana’s number.


    Finally, the call was connected. He heard her purr, “Jasper.


    “Lia, where are you? I’m at the Century Mall now!” He sounded worried.


    “I’m feeling a little stuffy. I’m sitting by the elevator lobby on the second floor.”


    “Don’t move! I’ll go to you right now!” He swiftly went to the second floor and found her.


    “Jasper!” Her eyes were misty when she threw herself at him. “Everything’s better when I see you. I


    don’t feel sick anymore.”


    “Why didn’t you pick up the calls from Rosaline?” he asked with concern. She quickly cooked up an


    excuse, “My phone died. I managed to find an outlet and get it charged.


    “You must have a guardian with you when you leave home. Okay? You cannot be out here alone.”


    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    He sighed in relief and held her.


    “I just need you by my side. I don’t need anyone else.” She rubbed her face against his chest, feeling


    gleeful on the inside.


    She realized that Rosaline was right. Jasper still cared for her–she still had his heart!


    At the same time, they heard some murmurs from the crowd.


    “Look at that young couple. How good–looking, especially that youngdy! She looks like she walked


    out of a painting!”


    “That handsome young man is pretty fit! You can tell he’s rich from his looks.”


    Jasper overheard the gossip but wasn’t curious enough to check out the couple. Only Liana


    gasped in shock. “Jasper, look! What a coincidence!”


    He turned around unemotionally, but he was immediately stunned by the sight. His eyes were burning


    like mad.