After hearing that, Alyssa did not refuse further. She knew this woulde up again even if she refused now. Justin might appear carefree, but he was actually stubborn and malicious deep down. He would stop at nothing to get his way.


    Moreover, Alyssa had epted Justin''s help so Winston could recover soon. It would be too narrow-minded of her to turn him down over such a trivial invitation.


    At 6:00 pm sharp, Alyssa''s luxury car glided slowly into Seaview Manor. She gazed out the window at the familiar sight, reminded of the times when she and Jasper had lived here as a married couple. The moments they shared were bitter, sorrowful, and happy.


    Tears welled up automatically, and she lowered her eyes to conceal the sorrow.


    Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to the man next to her, surprised, and saw him presenting a clean, nice-smelling, white handkerchief.


    "I wouldn''t have arranged this dinner at home if I''d known it would make you feel so ufortable to be back here," Justin said.


    He gazed deeply into Alyssa''s reddened eyes and added in a soft, regretful voice, "I''m sorry, Lyse."


    Lyse...


    Even his extremely gentle tone sounded almost identical to Jasper''s.


    Alyssa''s heart fluttered-not because of the man before her, but because of Jasper, the person deeply etched in her heart, the man she could never forget. "Please don''t misunderstand. Mr. Beckett. I wasn''t getting emotional."


    Alyssa took deep breaths to calm herself down. In an icy tone, she continued, "Also, I would very much prefer it if you called me ''Ms. Alyssa'' or ''Ms. Taylor.'' It would be more formal that way, and these forms of address would be more suitable considering my identity."


    Justin was taken aback slightly. He smiled, as if unaffected by her frigidity. "Sure. I''ll do as you ask."


    Even though Justin said tonight''s dinner was with his family, Javier was not at home-he had gone out of town.


    Justin sat at the head of the table in the spacious dining room while Alyssa and Rafe, Beckett Group''s guest of honor, sat on either side of him.


    "We were able to secure Project A5, all thanks to your support."


    Justin lifted his ss elegantly and looked toward Rafe with a smile. "I hope we''ll be able to work well together moving forward, and I hope you''ll support KS Group with their projects in Sna City. I would be extremely grateful."


    In other words, this was tant collusion between business parties.


    Alyssa had no appetite at all. She sat on pins and needles, drinking only in water the entire time.


    After Rafe downed a few sses of liquor, his face flushed as red as a baboon''s rear. Rather than behaving like an official, he had been reduced to a tool for Justin''s self-interest. He smited from ear to ear, expressing his satisfaction at being well-fed and well-drunk.  s


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Beckett. In consideration of your rtionship with Ms. Alyssa, just leave KS Group''s future developments in Sna City to me. You definitely have all my support!"


    Upon hearing that, a suggestive smirk crossed Justin''s face. "In consideration of my rtionship with Ms. Alyssa? What is my rtionship with her?"


    With the seasoned eye of a veteran, Rafe instantly knew that the way Justin looked at Alyssa was far from innocent; his eyes brimmed with a hungry, proprietary desire.


    To please the cash cow who channeled great profits his way, Rafeughed and answered directly, "Of course it''s an extremely close. rtionship! When can expe hear about your nuptials? Don''t forget to send me an invitation as soon as you set the wedding date!"  s


    Alyssa''s face fell. "Mr. Gentry-"


    "Mr. Gentry, you''re funny. Ms. Alyssa and I are just business partners and close acquaintances. She''s my grandfather''s god-granddaughter, and she''s also... my younger brother''s ex-wife," Justin interjected.


    He continued with a perfunctory smile, "With these connections, of course we share a deep rtionship. But please don''t overthink it, lest it put Ms. Alyssa in an awkward position."


    Rafe noticed something amiss in Alyssa''s expression. He broke out in awkwardughter right away. "I understand now, Mr. Beckett. I read too much into it. My apologies. Ms. Alyssa!"


    "I appreciate the thought, Mr. Gentry. But KS Group got to where it is today thanks to its own tenacity and strength, not through any questionable methods."


    Alyssa''s gaze was sharp and clear,


    and her expression was as cold as


    ice. "Even though we''re partnering with Beckett Group, this<fn93a7> Get full chapters from ?ovelFind</fn93a7>


    arrangementp, this


    QU


    It.


    doesn''t mean we share the same goals in the end. So thank you, but you don''t have to worry about KS Group."  s


    The humiliating response made Rafe freeze. His eyes darted toward Justin immediately.


    Nheless, Justin showed no sign of anger on that elegant face of his. Instead,


    he maintained a pleasant, almost affectionate smile on his face.


    It all made sense to Rafe now. Alyssa was the apple of Justin''s eye.


    He chuckled apologetically. "You''re right, Ms. Alyssa. I got ahead of myself. I really


    did!"


    After forcing herself to finish the meal, Alyssa couldn''t spend a second longer there. She rose to her feet to take her leave.


    Right at that moment, Rafe leaned in toward Justin and whispered, "Mr. Beckett, about the setting up of the new drug research institute that you previously mentioned to me..."