Alyssa''s breath hitched as a familiar voice echoed through the tense silence. Squeezing Jasper''s hand


    until his knuckles turned white, her heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs.


    "I-It''s Winston!"


    "Winston?" Jasper echoed, his surprise evident.


    Then, a procession of men d in ck suits strode into the mourning hall with authority. Winston, a


    commanding presence that turned heads, stood proudly at the forefront.


    But Winston wasn''t alone. Apanying him were Mandy, L, Colene, Jonah, and Ss,


    representing the Taylor family.


    Rarely did the Taylors assemble in such unity, indicating the significance of Cornelius'' funeral to them.


    "Dad!" Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes as sheunched herself toward Winston, engulfing him in a


    fierce hug.


    Jasper watched the reunion, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He remained rooted in his


    spot, refraining from seeking favor and silently observing the scene.


    "What''s all this fuss about? I''m barely in my 70s. I''m as sturdy as a rock!" Winston remarked, his heart


    warmed by Alyssa''s affection yet feigning annoyance. "You hugged me as if I had one foot in the grave.


    People might get the wrong idea."


    Alyssa clicked her tongue yfully, reluctantly releasing her hold on Winston''s arm. "Why didn''t you let


    me know you wereing? I thought you wouldn''t show up."


    "I worried for nothing, it seems," Mandy chimed in, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "I thought it


    would be sufficient if Jonah, Ss, and the three of us came to pay our respects. I didn''t think it''sN?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    necessary for Winston to make the trip all the way from Mosgravia, but he insisted on bidding Mr.


    Cornelius farewell in person."


    "Don''t say that you worried for nothing, Mandy. Your concern for Dad is evident," Alyssa reassured,


    noticing the renewed vigor in Winston''s demeanor, a weight lifted from her heart.


    Moved by the presence of such esteemed guests, Landon approached them, his eyes brimming with


    tears. As Landon spoke, his voice was achingly hoarse. "T-Thank you foring, Mr. Winston. I-It


    means a lot."


    "Silly boy, call me Uncle Winston. ''Mr. Winston'' sounds too distant," Winston replied warmly, patting


    Landon''s shoulder affectionately. "You''ve just taken over the Harper Group. If you need any help,


    please don''t hesitate to let me know. The KS Group would be d to assist you without hesitation."


    Landon pursed his lips tightly and nodded earnestly, gratitude evident in his expression.


    Observing the genuine affection Landon received from Winston, Jameson''s heart burned with rage. His


    fists clenched tightly, trembling under the weight of his crystal cuffs. He used to be the one who


    enjoyed such afortable rtionship with Alyssa''s father, the only one who could address him as


    "Uncle Winston" and bask in the warmth of the Taylor family''s eptance.


    Back then, Landon was a nobody, barely a blip on Winston''s radar.


    "Mr. Schmidt, were you the one spouting that nonsense?" Winston''s gaze bore into Jameson, his tone


    intimidating.


    Jameson bit the inside of his mouth hard and said nothing.


    "Hmm, you boasted about it so proudly earlier. Why the sudden silence?" Winston''s sneer dripped with


    disdain. "Mr. Schmidt, I''m undecided whether to call you ignorant or short-sighted. How could you make


    such an absurd im that the Harper family had no allies in the business world?"