"Got it," Jasper muttered, ending the call. His expression was so grim it seemed like a storm cloud


    loomed over him.


    "This timing is suspicious! Betty sneaks out to meet Zoe in the middle of the night? It practically


    screams conspiracy. They''re clearly in cahoots over the leaked report." Landon''s eyes widened with


    anger. He clenched his fists, mming them onto the bed with such force it felt like he might break it.


    "I fear your sister, Zoe, has allied with Preston in secret. She may have also informed Mr. Harper


    Senior privately. Otherwise, their n wouldn''t have gone so smoothly. They''ve likely been nning


    this for some time."


    A memory flickered in Landon''s mind. It was the night he delivered the engagement invitation to


    Cornelius and bumped into Zoe bringing him chicken soup. She had never been so caring before. In


    hindsight, her sudden kindness was obviously a calcted move.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    "She''s not my sister!" Landon repeated, his eyes aze with hatred. With each repetition, he cursed


    Zoe in his heart.


    "But she''s your grandfather and mother''s favorite, and ording to family records, she''s Bill''s biological


    daughter," Jasper reminded him, his hands firmly on Landon''s trembling shoulders.


    Jasper continued, "Even if our suspicions are correct, we can''t act without concrete evidence.


    Otherwise, they''ll have leverage over you in the future."


    It was advice Alyssa often gave him, and now Jasper was echoing it to his best friend.


    Jasper solemnly cautioned, "Don''t think that bing president will make you immune. They''ll still find


    ways to undermine you, and they could even prevent you from managing Harper Group''s affairs. You


    can''t give them that chance.


    "Revenge isn''t something achieved overnight. Besides, what Zoe did this time pleased Mr. Harper


    Senior. If you retaliate against her, you''ll likely only bring trouble upon yourself."


    "As for Betty, I will handle her," Jasper continued, his voice determined.


    "But what''s the difference between Betty and Zoe?" Landon gripped Jasper''s arm, anxiety etching his


    features. "Mr. Javier might see removing Betty as a slight on the Becketts, giving him leverage to make


    things difficult for you!"


    "Don''t worry. I have a n." Jasper pressed his lips together slightly. "And I believe my wife will have


    an even better one."


    It was already nighttime by the time Jasper returned to Crescent Bay.


    Ben and Alyssa went up to him the moment he entered, updating him that Lauren had stirred.


    "Is Lauren alright?" Jasper put his arms around Alyssa''s waist. He had a concerned look in his eyes.


    Alyssa sighed and shook her head. She caressed his icy hands. "She''s not doing great. Grandpa kept


    herpany for a while. He wasn''t feeling too well, so he went back to his room to rest. Angelina is


    with Lauren right now. How about Landon? How is he?"


    "I sent him to the hospital. He ended up getting a fever after being out in the cold. Fortunately, he''s


    quite fit, so he''s hanging in there."


    Alyssa lowered her head.


    Jasper and Landon were both hopeless romantics.


    "Come with me, Lyse."