<strong>Chapter 171</strong>


    Tears and heartbreak were part and parcel of amitted rtionship.


    Alyssa had shed enough tears for Jasper. It was time to put everything behind her.


    ...


    The days flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was Newton Beckett''s birthday. The Beckett family orded the old man''s birthday event with high importance. For the asion, Javier had splurged on a hundred-million-dor mansion as a gift, which became the venue for the celebration.


    The event attendees were notable figures in Sna City''s high society, ranging from business tycoons to Newton''s old friends from the Painter''s Society—a couple of whom were locally famous artists.


    Liana and Betty had started their preparation a week ago for the event. They busied themselves with dress selection, facial care, and manicure sessions. They showed up at the event looking like it was their big day,peting with the otherdies to grab the spotlight.


    Unfortunately, the exterior design of the mansion ran in contrast to their mboyant dresses. They couldn''t find a good spot for photo-taking without looking out of ce.


    "Betty, what did you get for Grandpa?" Liana was curious.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I got him an antique vase. I bet he''ll like it because he''s into antique stuff and porcin!" Betty fiddled with the pink diamond ring on her finger smugly.


    "Oh. Which era is it from?"


    "It''s a Victorian-era vase."


    "That''s pretty recent. I''m not sure if that''s good enough for a birthday gift." Liana blinked innocently at Betty with her carefully drawn eyes.


    Liana continued, "You know, Jasper spent four million dors to win the bid for a set of Georgian-era porcin drinkware at a charity auction! He''ll gift them to Grandpa. Don''t you think your gift will pale inparison?"


    Feeling looked down upon, Betty glowered at Liana. "Of course, the president of Beckett Group has to afford the best birthday gift. He''s representing thepany."


    "That''s true. My darling is awesome," Liana gushed and beamed with pride.


    "Anyway, I''m Grandpa''s favorite granddaughter. He''ll like anything I get for him." Betty scrutinized Liana icily. "Enough about me. What did you get for Grandpa?"


    "I bought him a Georgian-era antique item worth one million. You''ll seeter," Liana teased with an air of mystery.


    "One million? Where did this bitch get her money from?" Betty thought. Sophia once said that Liana''s family was on the brink of bankruptcy. Liana appeared to have experienced a status boost from her engagement to Jasper.


    Betty seethed at the idea of Liana spending the Becketts'' money before the marriage. The more she dwelled on it, the more upset she felt.


    To irk Liana, she sneered, "Oh, dear Lia, I''m worried for you. Alice is going to show up soon, isn''t she? She''s definitely invited because Grandpa likes her a lot. What are you going to do when you see her? I can''t imagine the awkwardness."


    "What''s there to feel awkward about? I''m Jasper''s fiancée! She''s the one who should feel awkward!" Liana was triggered.


    "Well, Alice hasn''t finalized the divorce with Jasper. I know you''re marrying him soon, but she''s still his legal spouse today." Betty gloated over Liana''s worried reaction. "What if Grandpa introduces her as his daughter-inw? What are you going to do?"


    Liana''s face was ashen as she seethed with indignation.


    "Don''t worry, Lia."


    Betty jumped a little when she heard Sophia''s voice. Sophia approached them, clutching a ss of red wine.


    "Aunt Sophia!" Liana quickly held Sophia''s arm and leaned on Sophia''s shoulder.


    Betty had never felt bothered by the close rtionship between her mom and Liana. Still, she felt cross at that moment at Liana''s brazenness to act like Sophia''s daughter.


    Sophia patted Liana on the shoulder with a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "Don''t worry. Your mom might not be here today, but I got your back. I will not have Alice White causing drama today!"