Jasper did not appear doubtful. Instead, he was riddled with guilt. "I''m not the best brother to Lauren,


    and I feel sorry about it. I''ve never fulfilled my responsibility as a brother. I was oblivious to her suffering


    at home and realized it many yearster after Lyse informed me about it. I am a disappointment."


    "Don''t think of yourself that way. You''re a good brother, and I can attest to it." Alyssa gently leaned into


    Jasper''s arms and kissed him on the neck. "Let''s not forget that Lauren wouldn''t have gotten together


    with a doting boyfriend without your help. That alone makes you a good brother to her."


    Jasper was tempted by her. He looked at her affectionately as he held her by the waist and kissed her


    on the lips.


    A dejected look shed across Cyrus'' eyes. Before he entered the car, he said to them, "I''ll send the


    information to youter. You can do anything you want with the bullies as long as it''s not something


    illegal."


    As Jasper and Alyssa were concerned about Lauren, they hurried to Sage Manor but failed to find


    Lauren there. They didn''t even get to step foot in the manor because Landon stopped them at the door.


    Looking fazed, he said to them with bloodshot eyes, "Jasper, Lyse, don''t worry. Lauren is fine, though


    she''s in quite some shock. Angie has coaxed her to sleep."


    Putting aside Lauren''s condition, Landon did not look that well himself. They assumed that the hostage


    situation gave him a good scare.


    Jasper had wanted to enter the manor, but Alyssa grabbed his arm and shot him a look. Taking her


    hint, he had no choice but to ask Landon, "Is Lauren... really okay?"


    "She''s fine." Landon forced a smile and pretended to look rxed. "I wouldn''t have been here chatting


    with you if she weren''t okay. I would have ttened the earth."


    Landon''s words made sense. Alyssa agreed, "Fine. Let Lauren rest. We''ll drop by in two days when


    she''s calmed down." Then, she took Jasper''s arm, ready to say goodbye when Landon suddenly called


    out to her, "Lyse."


    "Hm? What''s wrong?"


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    Landon pressed his parched and pale lips. After some hesitation, he decided to sweep Cyrus'' matter


    under the rug. Instead, he asked, "How''s Mr. Winston doing? Is he better?"


    "Yes, he''s doing better. Thanks for your concern, Mr. Landon." Grinning, Alyssa left the manor with


    Jasper.


    The couple looked like a match made in heaven. Staring at them, Landon struggled against his inner


    pain as he drowned in self-doubt. He envied Alyssa and Jasper''s loyal love.


    As for him, he certainly loved Lauren to the bone, and he thought Lauren felt the same way about him.


    However, he couldn''t help but wonder if Lauren had fallen in love with him as a person or if she had


    only agreed to date him merely because he was smitten with her.


    What if she had met Cyrus before him?


    He felt his world plunging into darkness. He gripped the doorframe harder, the veins on the back of his


    hands bulging. He dared not think about the hypothetical scenario.