"Yet, here you are, barging in, knowing full well I''m upied. What a party pooper," Freddy grumbled,


    slowly re-fastening his belt, his displeasure evident on his face.


    The man in the blue suit flicked the cigarette butt to the ground. "You can indulgeter. Zoe wants us to


    bring Lauren to her."


    Lauren''s eyes darkened at the mention of Zoe''s name, plunging her further into a pit of despair.


    Jasper and Alyssa led Sean, Xavier, and the others to the western suburbs.


    Despite severe injuries, Cyrus insisted on leading a police team to the abandoned factory where both


    parties were expected to converge.


    They made efforts to keep Lauren''s kidnapping under wraps, fearing it could negatively impact both the


    Beckett Group and the Harper Group, especially Newton. They knew he wouldn''t take it well, and the


    risk of angering the kidnappers and endangering Lauren was too great.


    During the journey, Jasper learned from Landon that Cornelius might havee to harm, prompting


    him to call the police.


    Alyssa, on the verge of hysteria, fought back tears. Her mind raced, trying toprehend how a


    seemingly innocent date had turned into a nightmare. Who dared to kidnap Lauren right under Cyrus''


    watch?


    "Landon said Sylvia went to Primrose Manor to discuss her divorce with Preston, only to stumble upon


    Preston and his secretary handling Mr. Harper Senior''s body," Jasper exined, holding Alyssa''s hand.


    His gaze was grave.


    "I can''t fathom how someone could murder their own father for money. Preston doesn''t even deserve a


    ce in hell!" Alyssa seethed with anger.


    "Sylvia was being pursued by Preston''s men and had no choice but to seek out Landon. She even


    offered the evidence of Preston killing Bill as a bargaining chip for Landon''s protection. They were all


    looking out for their own interests. None of them deserves our sympathy!"


    Alyssa gripped Jasper''s hand tightly, shaking her head in anguish. "I always thought Landon had it all,


    being the eldest grandson in the Harper family—must have been more blessed than anyone, with love


    from his mother and grandfather. But it seems I was mistaken. Every family has its struggles. He just


    never shared his with us."


    Jasper''s voice was heavy with pain as he spoke, "Landon told me more than once... Since his father


    passed away, his happiest days were the ones he spent with Lauren. She taught him that he could love


    like any normal man. Lauren taught him how to love."


    Tears streamed down Alyssa''s face as the weight of his words settled in. A choked sob escaped her


    lips. "Lauren will be alright. They''ll be together."


    Jasper held her tightly, his expression grim. "Yes, they will."


    "Sean, how much farther to the western suburbs?" Alyssa asked, her voice tinged with anxiety as she


    regained herposure.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "The navigation app says there''s road construction ahead, so we''ll need to take a detour. Even driving


    at full speed, it''ll still take us about 20 minutes," Sean replied, his fingers white-knuckled on the steering


    wheel, a sheen of sweat forming on his forehead.