Can't Win Me Back

“Ah, my chronic illness has flared upagain. It’s not a big deal.”Newton comforted Alyss a by caressing her head. His face was a shade of sickly grey.

Her chest tightened at the sight. She held his right hand and checked his pulse. A mo ment later, she addressed him sternly, “Grandpa,I will visit you weekly toperform acupuncture. I’ll give you a new prescription. You shouldn’t slack on taking your meds. I’ll get Mr. Gorham to keep a tab on you.”

“Alice, things are different now. You’reWinston’s beloved daughter. How could I trouble you?

“I heard from Jasper that you are runningthe Taylor Group’s hotel business as well. That must be very stressful for you. You don’t have to travel back and forth. Mr. Gorham will take care of me.”Newton

longed to see Alyss a but worried that the traveling might tire her.

She was surprised that Jasper would discuss her with Newton. Jasper had been neglectful and dismissive in the past, but he started thinking about her after the divorce. How ridiculous!

“I’m Winston’s daughter, but I’m yourgranddaughter too!” Lifting a brow, Alyss a slapped her thigh. “I am free to go anywhere and do anything I want. Winston doesn’t have a say in that! Hmph! 11 Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Newton and Lauren laughed at her adorable antics.

Alyssa’s phone was buzzing. She checked her screen and saw a text from Sean. He wrote, “Everything’s in order. Waiting for your approval.”

The luxurious stage in the ballroom was decorated with fresh flowers. The lights

beyond the stage dimmed as the stage basked in a brilliant spotlight.

Jasper and Landon arrived late at the ballroom. Despite their low-profile entrance, they immediately became the center of attraction.

All eyes were on the two men as the guests gossiped.

“I’m surprised that the haughty and self-important Mr. Beckett showed up at Ms. Gardner’s birthday party. She must have some solid connections.”

“You are na ive to believe that this is just abirthday party. Did you notice that her parents and Jasper Beckett’s parents are here? They’re using the birthday party as a platform for an important announcement.”

“Oh, is that so? I guess I made the rightdecision to attend. Will there be drama later?”

“Tsk tsk. Didn’t they say that comparison

is the thief of joy? As a close friend of the Becketts, I heard that Jasper Beckett didn’t even host a proper wedding for his first wife. That poor thing wasted three pitiful years by his side.

“Look at him now. If he’s willing to throwa grand birthday party for his girlfriend, we can expect a wedding of the century. I would be so upset if I were his ex-wife!”

The gossip hit Jasper hard, leaving him hurt and damaged on the inside.

Before the divorce, it never occurred to him that he had wronged Alyssa. After the divorce, he found himself under intense scrutiny and faced harsh public judgment as his previous actions were cruelly brought to light.

“Jasper, you alright? Why do you looksick?” Landon frowned and elbowed his friend.

“I’m okay.”Jasper took a deep breath tocalm himself.

Javier and Liana’s parents were seated in the first row, as though they were there for their kids’matrimony. There was a light show going on as joyful music filled the air.

Amid the roaring applause, Liana, dressed in a ha ute co uture off-shoulder silver evening dress and decked in jewelry worth millions, walked in with Sophia by her side. She bowed to the audience.

“Wow! Look! She’s wearing a hautecouture dress by Rose Emerson!”someone gasped.

“How gorgeous! How did she get herhands on a dress worth millions just for a birthday party? The Becketts must love her so.”

Liana was on cloud nine upon hearing the compliments and applause from the audience. The only thing missing was Jasper—he should have been standing by her side. Still, that did not take away the

glamour of the event.

She’d be a majestic pr incess of the night!

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you fortaking the time to celebrate my nice, Lia’s birthday. Lia will cherish this day forever.”

She gently caressed Liana’s hand with a gaze so affectionate that she seemed more like Liana’s birth mother.”We’d also like to make an important announcement on this occasion.”

The audience hushed. Javier’s smile was hard to decipher. Meanwhile, Liana’s parents stared at the stage with eager eyes.

“Our Lia will soon be officially engaged toJasper!”