Alyssa stated,”You could get stic surgery or change your name, but you’ll never cover up your past


    no matter how hard you try.


    “The clues will show up if we look closer. Ichoose to keep my silence, not because I am nice. I couldn’t


    be bothered because it’s none of my business, that’s all.


    “If you try me again, don’t me me forairing your dirtyundry.”


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Liana felt her heart tighten. She was sickened by Alyssa’s threat, as though she was sucked dry.


    …


    Alyssa and Jameson were gone when Jasper emerged from the rose garden. After the conversation


    with Jameson, Jasper stood alone like a statue in the chilly breeze for a while.


    The night had fallen. Jasper arranged for Liana to be driven back to the hospital while he returned to


    Seaview Manor with Xavier.


    During the trip, Xavier sweated profusely and apologized furiously to Jasper with a reddened face.


    “Mr. Beckett, I’m so sorry! Punish me inany way you want! It’s all my fault for not doing my research


    and failing to recognize Mr. Schmidt from ourmunications! It’s all on me …”


    Xavier started choking back tears. Jasper stirred from his shut-eye and opened his eyes. He ridiculed,


    “How old are you now? Why did you cry over nothing?”


    “This is a big deal …”


    “Jameson Schmidt and his people havenot been in the country for decades. It’s not unusual to get


    nothing on them.”


    Jasper closed his eyes again and breathed


    deeply.”Even if you looked into the Schmidts, nothing would change. He would not work with us. So,


    call up a couple of simr rose gardens in the nation. We’ll find a supplier somehow.”


    “Got it!I will get to it tomorrow!”Xavierrubbed his eyes and let out a long sigh.”Mr. Schmidt is pretty


    generous to Ms. Taylor. He handed the massive project to her without much discussion.


    “Any businessman in their right mindwould have carefully considered a few proposals before making


    the decision.”


    Jasper was st ung by Xavier’s remark. He asked in despair, “Xavier, was I a bad husband to Alyssa?


    Did I fail?” ②


    Xavier was speechless. He might be an honest man, but he was not dumb. He was presented with a


    new challenge fresh after the heels of his blunder on the Schmidts. He felt burdened and anxious.


    “It’s fine. Tell me the truth. I won’t hold it


    against you.” Jasper read his mind.


    “Um, Mr. Beckett. You treated ma dam …fairly well. You provided her with an expensive lifestyle. You


    even showered her with luxury cars and ck cards withoutints.”


    “Alyss a and I had a sham marriagebecause of Grandpa’s wish. I gave her anything I could afford.”


    Jasper pinched his nose bridge with a troubled expression.


    “Technically, Ms. Taylor did not lose out ifher n was to take her fair share from the contract marriage


    and leave when the three years were up.”


    Xavier suddenly put on a straight face and continued, Sadly, she was truly in love with you. She was


    attentive to you during the three years. She neverined about your cold shoulder and the


    bullying from your family.


    “You were indeed cruel to a woman whosaw you as her husband. The money you


    threw at Ms. Taylor was more likely a stinging humiliation for a woman who loved you with all her


    heart.”


    Upon hearing the phrase “a stinging humiliation,”Jasper swallowed hard. His chest became heavy with


    emotions.


    He tried to take a breath and soothe the feeling. But he was almost crushed by the weight of it at the


    thought of Alyssa’s genuine love for him.