Landon felt touched. He gazed at Javier, gratitude evident in his eyes. Though he opened his mouth to


    speak, words eluded him, leaving him in a momentary silence.


    Jasper, standing nearby, watched with surprise, his expression softening into a relieved smile.


    "Got it, Mr. Javier. I''ll see to it right away!" Rory answered with a smile.


    Rory was about to leave when Landon stopped him. "There is no need to trouble yourselves. I still have


    a lot of work to do. Thank you for your kind thought, Mr. Javier."


    Upon hearing that, Javier decided not to impose. He nodded slightly and offered a quiet piece of


    advice. "Much has happened in your family recently. It must be an immense burden to bear alone. But


    don''t forget to take care of yourself too. Lauren is my only daughter. If you crumble, so will her world."


    Days of exhaustion and helplessness weighed heavily on Landon. His body bore the scars of reality''s


    harshness. At this moment, he was filled with a sense of warmth that he hadn''t felt in a while.


    His chest tightened with emotion as he met Javier''s gaze. In a voice roughened by fatigue but filled


    with determination, he affirmed, "For Lauren''s sake, I will endure, no matter how arduous the path. You


    have my word."


    Jasper had his hand around Landon''s shoulders as they made their way to the parking lot.


    "Congrattions, Landon." Jasper beamed; his smile was akin to the bright sun emerging after a


    storm. "It seems like Dad is more epting of you now. After this dangerous encounter, I think he has


    come around and is not as repulsed by you."


    Although barely discernible, an awkward smile briefly flitted across Landon''s face. "Thanks for trying to


    comfort me, Jasper. But I know where I stand."


    Jasper observed the dim spark in his eyes and felt a pang of guilt. Landon, once vibrant and


    mboyant, now seemed weighed down by regret and inferiority, particrly regarding his rtionship


    with Lauren. It was as if he could no longer love someone with the same arrogance and passion as


    before.


    The current version of Landon reminded Jasper of the time when he had desperately pursued the


    opportunity to watch over Alyssa. Having weathered his own storms, Jasper was determined to shield


    Landon from further hardship.


    "Have some confidence, Landon. You''ve done nothing wrong," Jasper reassured, firmly patting him on


    the shoulder. "Javier may no longer have a say in your rtionship with Lauren, despite him being


    Lauren''s father. Even so, Lauren would be happier if Javier were to give his blessings to the both of


    you.


    "Plus, in the future, he will likely support Harper Group for the sake of his only daughter, making your


    journey as the family head smoother.


    "However, in Lyse''s words, Javier is a prick. No matter how much recognition he may have for


    someone deep down, he would never admit it. But the way he interacted with you today was


    unprecedented.


    "Don''t worry. You and Lauren have been through fire; nothing and no one can separate the both of you


    again."


    Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Both Landon and Jasper


    whipped their heads around, stunned.


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    "Mr. Axel?"


    "Axel?"


    A breeze swept through the parking lot as Axel approached, his ck coat billowing in the wind. His


    clear eyes held a steely resolve. "Sorry for beingte. I was held up by work."


    Jasper shook his head. "No worries."


    Axel observed the changes in Landon, hisshes fluttering slightly. He was brief with his words. "Is


    there anything else that I can help you with?"


    A warmth spread in Landon''s heart as he shook his head. "Thank you. I can manage on my own."


    "Remember that time when Jasper hurt his head so badly that he ended up in the hospital? Do you


    remember what I said back then?" There was a gleam in Axel''s eyes. He smiled and continued, "I said


    that from that day on, you are no longer Jasper''s only friend. Simrly, Jasper isn''t your only friend.


    "Feel free to mobilize your resources when necessary, myself included."


    "Mr. Axel, thank you," Landon said softly, his eyes brimming with gratitude.


    Axel couldn''t stay serious for long. With a yful grin, he teased, "Hey, if you''re really grateful, just call


    me Axel."


    In a sheepish tone, Landon replied, "Okay, Axel."


    Axel clicked his tongue, feigning disappointment. "You''re no fun. You took my advice too seriously."


    Just then, Jordan hurried over nervously. "Mr. Landon, Mrs. Harper has started to take action! She


    bribed a prison medic to tamper with Zoe''s health report. The police have approved their attorney''s


    request to put her on medical parole. She will be brought out of the detention center this afternoon!"


    Landon remained eerily calm despite the troubling news. "Gather all those who are still willing to work


    for me. I won''t force them if they''re afraid of taking the risk."


    Jasper sensed Landon''s intention to engage in risky business. He furrowed his brows. And as if Axel


    had seen through his thoughts, Axel intervened with a yfulugh, "Hey, no need for all that trouble.


    You have me, and that''s enough."