Landon, especially, stared fixedly at the young woman in his arms as a sudden thought surfaced in his


    mind.


    He wanted to bring Lauren home with him.


    So, so much.


    Alyssa was unbelievably shocked. “Lauren, you… want to…


    “Landon…” Lauren mumbled, nuzzling into Landon’s chest and making his heart skip. “I want to go


    home


    with you.”


    Alyssa and Jasper had no choice but to respect Lauren’s choice under her insistence.


    Jasper then had Landon follow him to the smoking area to speak to him.


    “What happened to Lauren’s ear, Landon?” Jasper asked, cing a cigarette between his lips and


    offering


    his friend another.


    “What happened?” Hatred and cold fury red in Landon’s gaze. “Your spoiled bitch of a sister, Betty,


    happened!”


    “She’s not my sister. I only have one sister and her name is Lauren.” Jasper bristled at the mention of


    Betty. “So, Betty hurt Lauren?”


    Landon nearly ground his teeth into dust. The cigarette in his hand almost broke in two under his


    furioust


    pinching. “If I did something to Betty, would you retaliate on behalf of your family, Jasper?”


    Jasper lit his cigarette and took a long puff. “I’ll pretend you never said that to me.”


    His stance was clear as day.


    “Thanks, man.” Landon grinned, delighted. He patted Jasper’s shoulder in solidarity.


    “But no deaths, for your own good.” Jasper shot him a look.


    Jasper continued, “If you really like Lauren and intend to build a future with her, then first make sure to


    cut off all those women you keep on strings around you-secondly, no more killing. You’re a Harper, not


    some underworld warlord. I wouldn’t feel safe entrusting Lauren with you otherwise.”


    “I only think of Lauren as a sister, Jasper. Nothing more,” Landon hurriedly said, though his heart


    betrayed


    So did his wavering gaze and slightly trembling fingers, which Jasper was privy to.


    Thetter only responded lightly, “Ignore the feud between Sophia and I. Lauren may be her daughter,


    but I’ve never held a grudge against her for that. She’s a good girl. I truly hope she finds happiness.”


    “Jasper… I… Landon choked out hoarsely.


    “You may not be the best option for Lauren, but I can tell you’re serious and genuine about her.”


    Jeez, what was with this attitude? Why did Landon feel like he was getting schooled by his future


    father-in


    w?


    “Are you lighting that or not?” Jasper asked, reaching out for the cigarette in Landon’s hand. “Give it


    back


    if you’re not. It’s myst one.”


    “I am, I am… “Landon quickly tucked it between his lips. “Say, when did you get so stingy? You’re worth


    billions, yet here you are fussing over a cigarette? No wonder you’ve only ever made one friend-me.”


    “I’m trying to quit. I only go through half a pack daily now.”


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    “Why? You’re only 30 years old. At this rate, you might as well go vegan.”


    “Because of Lyse.” Warmth and joy flooded Jasper’s heart as he thought of her. “She hates it when I


    smoke. It’s hard to quit, but I’m trying my best.”


    “Tsk. Why didn’t you cut Liana out of your life when Alyssa was still married to you then? You know how


    much she hated that bitch,” Landon teased.