True love had nothing to do with a wife''s culinary skills. A man who truly loved a woman would still find


    her attractive at her worst.


    Alyssa was too focused on cooking and did not notice Jasper creeping up to her.


    She gasped when he pulled her into a hug, his masculine scent enveloping her senses.


    He grumbled, "Why are you moving around when I''m not at home? You''re injured and need rest." He


    tightened his grip on her waist with desire, but she kept quiet about the difort.


    Instead, she ced her right hand on the back of his hand and patted it. She allowed him to hug her for


    as long as he wished. His heavy breath on her neck sent electric shivers through her.


    Suddenly detecting a faint tobo scent, she questioned, "Did you smoke?"


    "Sorry, Lyse. I couldn''t resist," he rasped, resting his chin on her shoulder. Rubbing his chin against her


    skin, he vowed, "I won''t do it again."


    "Anything troubling you?" she wondered, feeling worried when she sensed his low mood.


    "Nothing."


    "Did Javier give you trouble at work?" she mused wittily, as observant as ever.


    Smiling bitterly, he teased her, "I''ll need to perform a body scan. Did you put a hidden camera


    somewhere on me?"


    "Yeah. It''s here." She turned, poking his heart. "Did he confront you about Sophia?"


    "I hosted a meeting and stripped Sophia of her role in thepany. He didn''t seem pleased about it. I


    think he wanted to protect her." Jasper sounded t. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear,


    "Nah, Javier didn''t confront you to protect Sophia. At the end of the day, he was trying to protect his


    reputation. Everyone was talking about the tragic fates of the women associated with him. I bet there


    are lots of conspiracy theories out there," Alyssa bluntly expressed her thoughts in front of Jasper.


    He agreed, "I know. My dad is a selfish man." Feeling uneasy, he let out a frustrated sigh, worried that


    he had let her down again.


    He promised, "Don''t worry about it. We''ll move out of Seaview Manor when we''re married and get our


    own ce."


    The talk of marriage made Alyssa blush. Her heart raced.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "If you prefer more time with your family, I''ll stay in Belbanks with you. If you''re worried about Grandpa,


    we can buy a vi at Crescent Bay to stay close to him." Jasper smiled as he pictured their future


    together.


    "Grandpa called me two days ago to check on my injury. He told me that he was fed up with Sna


    City and its petty people. He would much prefer the down-to-earth nature of the Belbanks natives, and


    he thought of moving to Belbanks with me," she sweetly revealed.


    "Anything you like." Jasper, defenseless against her charm, kissed her passionately. Their breaths


    mingled as their tongues danced.


    A whileter, she pulled away, face flushed. "Living in Belbanks might be troublesome for your job.


    You''ll spend four hours on themute."