‘M-Mr. Beckett? Xavier eximed in panic and hit the emergency button.


    Xavier grabbed some napkins and wiped the blood off Jasper’s lips as he pleaded, “You can’t keep


    going like this! Please put an end to your confrontation with Madam and take the medications she sent


    you.”


    “I won’t,” Jasper replied adamantly despite the throbbing chest pains.


    His eyes carried a deep sadness as he dered, “This is the only way to get Alyssa back to my side.


    It’s


    my only chance to spend time with her. I’ll put my life on the line just to see her once.”


    “What did you say? That bastard refused to take his medications? But why?” Alyssa growled when


    Sean interrupted her family dinner to update her. She immediately lost her appetite from all the


    frustration.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    “He said he’d only take his medications if you meet with him,” Sean fumed. “Give him an inch, and he


    takes a mile!


    “Not only is he ungrateful for your help, but he’s also resorting to threats. Who does he think he is? Ms.


    Alyssa, you have done all you could to help. If I were you, I’d let him be. You should move on.”


    “Get the car ready. I’m going to Sna City,” Alyssa ordered furiously and vanished in no time to


    change


    into a new outfit


    “M-Ms. Alyssa!” Sean called out to Alyssa, who had left in a hurry. Bitterness coursed through his heart.


    Jasper did not tell anyone in the Beckett family about his injuries and subsequent hospitalization. He


    had


    reached a point in his career where he needed to maintain the confidentiality of his health status.


    Many, both within and beyond the Beckett Group, had their eyes on his presidency. If anything were to


    happen to him, it would give them an excuse to remove him from his position.


    For years, he had been walking on thin ice. He dealt with internal and external threats over the years,


    all


    because he was not Javier’s favored son.


    As usual, Landon was his only visitor that night. Jasper did not confide in Landon that he coughed up


    blood so as to not worry Landon. He was determined not to let Landon waste time searching for


    medical


    help on his behalf.


    “Aw, you poor thing.” Landon gleefully remarked as he slouched on the couch.


    Seeing Jasper’s pale face, he jested, ‘Look how miserable you are. Mr. Beckett was on top of the world


    just a few months ago.”


    Jasper lifted his gaze and wondered aloud, ‘What are you trying to say?”


    “You had a gentle wife at home and a passionate lover out there. Life was good back then.”


    “Ahem, Landon Harper, Jasper warned. His face was rather dull. Landon’s provocation almost triggered


    another bout of coughing up blood.


    “I still remember yourints. You grumbled about going home to your overly zealous wife, which


    made you ufortable. I was so freaking jealous of you at that time! Having a doting wife is way


    better


    than countless servants, don’t you know?” Landonmented with a hint of disgruntlement.


    He felt indignant for Alyssa and sorry for Jasper, who lost a good woman.


    “At that time, I wasn’t truly bothered by her,” confessed Jasper. His heart ached at the thought of


    Alyssa’s


    kindness to him during their marriage.


    “I’m not heartless. I could see how much she cared for me and loved me during those three years. I


    gave


    her the cold shoulder to show her the harsh reality and push her toward getting a divorce.


    “At the time, I wasn’t in a position to secure her future. Staying with her would have only been a waste


    of


    her time.”


    “What about now? You are practically clinging to her. Do you like recycling your women?” Landon


    quipped He cocked his head and ced a cigarette between his lips.