However, Freddy was a man of dignity and didn''t want to argue with Landon right then and there. He


    noted this incident in his mind and vowed to make Landon pay for it.


    "Lauren, let''s go," Landon said, gripping Lauren''s tense shoulders before leading her away.


    "Lauren!" Freddy called out to Lauren''s retreating figure with a smile. "I''ve just returned from Yoarkley


    not long ago. I''m nning a ss reunion in a few days. Will you be able to attend?"


    Lauren closed her eyes tightly and took a few deep breaths, trying hard to expel those unbearable


    memories from her mind.


    Landon''s hand on her shoulder tensed visibly, and he red coldly at Freddy. "Birds of a feather flock


    together. My wife belongs to a higher circle. None of you deserve her attention."


    Zoe and Freddy stood frozen in ce with the same ugly expression on their faces.


    Alyssa and Jasper''s appearance instantly became the center of attention. They didn''t set out to steal


    the spotlight, but their sheer maism and presencemanded attention effortlessly.


    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    Men were admiring Alyssa, and women were eyeing Jasper. Such outstanding individuals appearing


    together in public were like two luminaries, captivating everyone''s gazes.


    "Lyse, Xavier just messaged me, saying that a group of reporters has entered Schmidt Manor," Jasper


    whispered. His voice was low and pleasant.


    "They can enter Schmidt Manor? Then it''s not our people." Frowning, Alyssa swayed a champagne


    ss.


    "Do you want to find out who they work for?" His gaze subtly changed.


    "No need. The more reporters, the better. Isn''t this exactly what we wanted to see?" Alyssa squinted


    her eyes and elegantly sipped her champagne, leaving a faint lipstick mark on the rim of the ss.


    At that moment, Landon and Lauren entered everyone''s sight, their fingers tightly intertwined.


    Some guests who were familiar with Harper Group greeted Landon, "Mr. Landon, your girlfriend is truly


    beautiful."


    "This is my wife."


    Landon''s gaze was tender and affectionate. Ignoring the surrounding gazes, he held Lauren''s hand


    and kissed her fingertips. "In my eyes, she''s the most beautiful woman."


    Countless praises and admirations surrounded them.


    Normally, with Landon by her side, Lauren would feel extremely safe. But at this moment, all she could


    see in her mind were Zoe''s and Freddy''s faces; all she could hear was their piercingughter.


    Her face turned pale, and she felt her blood turn cold bit by bit.


    Although deeply disgusted by these unwee guests, Victor had to treat them respectfully. After all,


    one represented the Beckett family and the other the Taylor family. He couldn''t provoke them.


    Besides, outsiders were unaware of the intricacies. They might even think that the Schmidt family was


    well respected.


    "Mr. Victor, it''s about time for the family photo," the secretary reminded.


    Victor frowned more deeply when he noticed Jameson had not yet appeared.


    "Dad, Jimmy has no manners and is too full of himself. It''s one thing that he sent an invitation to Alyssa


    privately, but he''s been absent all evening on such an important day. It''s just me and ire here. Isn''t


    this ridiculous?"


    Josh seized the opportunity to criticize Jameson. He sneered. "Since taking office as president, he


    seems to have gained a sense of security. He probably thinks you''re not worth respecting anymore."


    Just then, the doors of the hall swung open.