"Whatever. We can''t control what others say, so let them be. Josh Schmidt might think he''s dealing a


    blow to me, but he has underestimated me." Alyssa dered, lifting her chin proudly and smiling. "We


    don''t have to do anything at all."


    "Lyse." Jasper''s breathing grew heavy. He held her hand tighter.


    "Fame alwayses with trouble. Theizen''s attack only proves my poprity." Waving her hand,


    Alyssa added, "Remember, exining yourself is dumb behavior. You''re not going to rip your heart out


    to prove a point when used of having an ugly heart, are you? Let''s ignore that troublemaker, Josh


    Schmidt. He''s going to shoot himself in the foot one day."


    Then, she put on a serious face and said, "I''m more concerned about the girls who suddenly changed


    their minds. I suspect the Schmidts have pressured them into it."


    "Theye from ordinary families. There''s no way they could fight against the Schmidts." Lowering his


    gaze, Jasper analyzed, "As for the two minors, they not only suffer from the Schmidts'' threats. If the


    scandal is publicized, they might risk media and public scrutiny.


    "They are victims, but society will gossip about them. There might be awfulmenters who brand


    them as loose women and a ''willing victim.''"


    "A willing victim?" The term dropped like a bomb on Alyssa. She felt a jolt of shock across her body.


    Jasper''s level-headed and cruel assessment dealt a huge blow to her. She could already imagine the


    horrible remarks.


    "It takes two to tango."


    "Things don''t happen for no reason."


    "It''s their fault for wearing miniskirts."


    "Why did it happen to them and not someone else?"


    The victims would be forced to endure nder after all they had gone through, pushing them deeper


    into the pain of beingbeled as "willing victims".


    "They have a long life ahead of them. Their parents might care more about public perception than


    seeking justice. I do not agree with their decision, but I empathize with them."


    Jasper pulled Alyssa into a hug when he noticed color draining from her face. Her shoulders trembled


    incessantly. He rested his chin against her neck and tightened his grip as if he wanted to be one with


    her.


    "Jasper, I''m fine. I just feel sorry for those girls." Choking on tears, Alyssa muttered in a feeble tone.


    "You''re overly kind, Lyse." He patted her on the back. "But I would love you to stay true to yourself—


    bright, passionate, and kind."


    He would willingly take on any challenge for her as long as he could keep her happy and carefree.


    Feeling cheered up, she gathered herself and said, "Jasper, can you make the arrangements for me?


    I''d like to meet the girls one-on-one."


    "Are you nning to convince them to testify?" Jasper''s brow twitched in surprise.


    "They changed their mind not because they didn''t care for justice. They feared retaliation from the


    Schmidts." She smiled brightly and exined, "I will make it clear that I''m here to defend them against


    the Schmidts."


    After David''s release from the detention center, he was ferried back to the Schmidt Residence in all the


    pomp. On his way home, he indulged in red wine in the luxury car, scrolling through meanments


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    about Alyssa Taylor andughing out loud like a repressed maniac who was back in action.