Jasper tightened the grip on his phone. "Lyse, I need to answer Landon''s call.”


    "Go ahead,” Alyssa gently said.


    Jasper had always been transparent with his calls in front of her; there were no secrets between them. But Alyssa understood that this call was important for both Landon and Jasper.


    Jasper rose and made his way to the living room. Standing by the window, he answered with concern, "Landon, how are you holding up? Are you okay?"


    “Jasper.” After a prolonged pause, Landon’s voice came through, strained as if he hadn''t had water in days. "I miss Lauren so much..."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Jasper felt a pang in his chest. "Don’t worry. Lauren is with Grandpa. We''re taking care of her. She''s safe."


    "Jasper, can I still be with Lauren? Can I still marry her?" Landon’s question held a desperate tone. Jasper''s throat constricted; he was momentarily speechless. While he knew Landon was deeply in love with Lauren, he couldn''t predict if Lauren would choose him.


    "If I can resolve things with the Harper Group, will you let me be with Lauren?” Landon''s tone turned grim. "Jasper, please help me."


    A steely resolve settled in Jasper''s eyes. "You''re like a brother to me. Of course, I''ll help you.”


    "In theing days, let''s work together to gather evidence against the Harper Group. We need everything we can get, especially anything incriminating about Cornelius.”


    Jaspers heart clenched. "Landon, Cornelius is your grandfather. And he''s the one truly running the Harper Group. Don''t do anything reckless!”


    "Javier is your father too. I doubt you let him off lightly when it came to Alyssa,” Landon retorted. Jasper was rendered speechless. Landon’s words hit home. He had been the one to turn his back on his family, setting a negative example for his closest friend.


    "I''ve made my decision. Anyone who''s tried to harm Lauren or stand in the way of our marriage has no ce in my life." Landon''s voice, firm and cold, hung heavy in the night air. "Cornelius is the foundation of the Harper Group. We can''t dismantle Preston without targeting him. We have to teach that bastard a lesson.”


    “Landon, I''m worried you''ll only bring trouble upon yourself," Jasper expressed genuine concern. "Just hold off a bit longer. We''ll find a better solution.”


    "I can''t wait any longer! Every minute away from Lauren feels like a dagger in my heart. It''s unbearable!" Landon''s emotions began to spiral out of control, his words interspersed with heavy gasps. "If... If you had to part with Lyse, could you handle it? Could you?"


    Jasper felt a pang in his chest. "Landon..."


    "Even if it means the downfall of the Harper Group, I don''t care, as long as it''s for Lauren!"


    Before Jasper could respond, Landon abruptly ended the call.


    Jasper sighed, lifting his gaze to the silver moon casting its cold light upon him, knowing sleep would evade him tonight.


    With Lauren''s condition stabilizing, Jasper and Alyssa felt a temporary sense of relief as they left Newton''s ce to return to work.


    Jasper had no time to freshen himself up; he rushed straight to the Beckett Group.


    In the morning, he chaired apany meeting. After attending to important guests in the afternoon, he finally found a moment to call Alyssa.