Aftering out from Sage Manor, Alyssa and Jasper sat in silence in the car for quite a while.


    Finally, Alyssa broke the silence.


    "Jasper, I... I will make a trip home tonight. Aren''t you leaving for a long-distance trip tomorrow


    morning? You can just go back to Seaview Manor. Or you cane to my ce for the night, too."


    Jasper was still worried about Landon. So, he frowned and agreed, "Alright. I''ll drop you off at


    Heightsnew Vi then. I''ll see you again tomorrow night."


    Upon returning to Heightsnew Vi, they exchanged a farewell kiss that conveyed their reluctance to


    part ways.


    After watching Alyssa go into the house, Jasper''s gaze became glum. He took out his phone and dialed


    Xavier''s number.


    "What are the updates from the hospital?"


    "That man died from excessive bleeding. His parents are also prominent figures in Sna City. They


    are insisting on taking this to court.


    "The problem is that the police are also now involved. It would get tricky if their investigation shows that


    the perpetrator is rted to Harper Group."


    Xavier was not his usual, cheery self. He was unusually serious. "But I have followed your instructions


    to get the details from Ms. Brands in private.


    "She shared that Mr. Landon really wasn''t intending to take the man''s life. It was his subordinate who


    wasn''t professional and acted rashly. They may have tried to avoid any critical points, but who in the


    world would be able to withstand ten stabs?


    "Though, he was also someone who deserved to die. Didn''t we look into him before? He is a walking


    bastard who''s just like David! Since the cops have be involved, they will surely get to the bottom


    of things."


    Jasper stayed silent for a few seconds as he concentrated on his thoughts. Then, he started coldly,


    "Keep in close contact with Angelina. Money isn''t a problem.


    "The important thing is to make sure that the culprit from Harper Group keeps his mouth shut. Wipe off


    any traces of his connection with Harper Group and have him turn himself in immediately.


    "All in all, this matter cannot be linked back to Landon, no matter what it costs. Do you understand


    me?"


    Xavier inhaled deeply. "Understood!


    When Alyssa got home, her face still showed that she was preupied.


    Right at this time, Mandy happened to walk past the living room with a hot bowl of soup. She was on


    her way to bring the soup to Winston.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Wee home, Lyse."


    "Is Cyrus at home tonight, Mandy? I heard that he came home. Is he in?"


    Mandy nodded. "He is. I think he went to the cer by himself. Did you need to speak with him?"


    Alyssa smiled and replied, "Nah, I was just missing Cyrus and wanted to have a drink with him."


    It was peaceful and quiet in the cer.


    When Alyssa pushed the door to enter, she saw Cyrus sitting under the dazzling ssmp, enjoying a


    ss of wine. The stream of light highlighted the edges of his charming face.


    In fact, since a long time ago, Alyssa had felt like Cyrus was the son who resembled Winston the most.


    He was never like Jonah and Ss who dressed smartly and scrupulously in suits. Instead, he was


    someone who still exuded his ssiness even if he only had a gunny sack on. He would still shine


    even if he were covered in dirt.


    All of Winston''s sons were people who brought cmity and suffering to the people around them once


    they were allowed to roam free.


    "Hey, Cyrus," Alyssa called out to him softly.


    Cyrus looked as if he had just been awakened from a dream. In a sh, his eyes became clear, and his


    eyelids fluttered. "Lyse, you''re back. Want to have a drink with me?"


    Alyssa caught a glimpse of a familiar-looking teddy bear cake on the table. She gave him an intrigued


    smile. "As far as I remember, you don''t really have a sweet tooth," she remarked.


    Cyrus froze, then smiled slightly. "I do crave this asionally. The teddy bear is quite a treat."


    "Do you actually like the taste of the teddy bear cake, or is it because it reminds you of someone,


    Cyrus?" asked Alyssa as she sat down across him.


    It was obvious what she was hinting at.


    Cyrus looked deep into her eyes. After a while, he smiled brightly. "We''re siblings, Lyse. You can be


    direct with me."


    "I saw Lauren today, Cyrus."


    Just the sound of that name made Cyrus'' heart skip a beat. But he maintained a calm expression on


    his face. "How is she? Is she alright? What happened thest time must have scared her. Has she


    calmed down?"


    He might lookposed, but every word of his was filled with concern.


    "Cyrus, since you''ve asked me to be direct with you, I won''t beat around the bush then."


    Alyssa took a deep breath. In a serious manner, she asked, "You have feelings for Lauren, don''t you?"


    Cyrus tightened his grip on his wine ss until his knuckles turned white. His eyes turned slightly red.


    "Yes, I do. That said, I am a rational person. I know when I should or should not have feelings for


    someone. Lauren and Landon have feelings for one another, and they''re already at the stage of


    discussing marriage. So, I know that I shouldn''t be having feelings for her."


    "Cyrus..."


    "However, I still like her. I can''t lie to you or myself about that." Cyrus forced a rtively rxed smile


    on his face. He scooped up a piece of the cake and put it in front of Alyssa.


    All of a sudden, Alyssa''s heart was pained.


    If she had known about this earlier, she would have done all she could to match-make Cyrus and


    Lauren. She would be more than happy to be Lauren''s sister-inw.


    It was a pity that the order of arrival had too important a role to y when it came to love.


    Being one stepte could mean that one''s feelings had to be concealed.


    "Did youe here thiste to see me so that you can ask me about Lauren specifically? Also, you


    look so serious. Did something happen?"


    Cyrus was always a bold yet attentive person. Instantly, he became rmed. "Did my presence make


    things difficult for Lauren? Did she have a fight with Landon?"


    "Lauren told me that she hopes that you and Landon could be friends," Alyssa said in a low voice.


    Cyrus chuckled awkwardly. "Do you think that''s possible, Lyse?"


    Alyssa let out a dispirited sigh.


    "From the moment I had feelings for Lauren, it became impossible for Landon and I to befriend one


    another. In the future, I don''t think I will meet with her unless it''s unnned or a coincidence. I cannot


    put her in a difficult spot and have Landon overthink things.


    "But, I will give them a wedding gift when they get married. I think that''s about it."


    Upon saying that, Cyrus downed the rest of the alcohol in his ss raffishly.


    Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes as she poured a ss for herself.


    Mandy had raised her three children exceptionally well. They were selfless, generous, righteous, and


    kind.


    "Lyse, I''ve heard you share many things about Lauren. I know it hasn''t been easy for her to get to


    where she is with her partner."


    Although Cyrus'' heart ached, he still maintained a smile on his face. "Rather than dating her, I just want


    her to live well. It doesn''t matter who she''s with as long as she is happy."


    "You''ll definitely be able to find your own happiness in the future too, Cyrus."


    Cyrusughed, "My happiness is to be of service to the people."


    Upon saying that, Cyrus and Alyssa clinked sses. After unraveling the troubles in their hearts, they


    drank to their heart''s content.