Alyssa pouted and muttered, "Why did you do that? If Mrs. Rosie were to see us... How embarrassing
would that be?"
"I didn't want you to jump into the sea in the south. So, I was just trying to calm you down."
Jasper found it difficult to slow his breathing. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "Do you feel better now?"
"I'm okay but I still feel very wronged. I feel suffocated." Deep down, she was troubled. Her eyes
watered and she sniffled.
Her pitiful expression made Jasper's heart melt.
He cupped her reddish cheeks. He felt the warmth from her cheeks on his palms. "Look at you. Your
cheeks are burning like you're running a temperature.
"You and Taty have always had a good relationship. It's not worth it for you both to get mad at each
other because of that bastard from the Schmidt family. Don't be angry, alright?"
"How could I be angry at Taty?"
Dispirited, Alyssa lowered her eyes. "It's more like I'm mad at myself. I wasn't able to take David down
for good. He ended up having a chance to revive himself. It was all because I hadn't defeated him
completely. There's no one else but myself to blame."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtJasper's heart was pained. He frowned. He comforted, "Don't say that, Lyse. That's got nothing to do
with you."
"Taty said that I was being selfish. She's right, I was. I do want to seek justice for those innocent
women. At the same time, I want to make sure that my family is safe too.
"Since young, Taty was always under the shelter of Winston and Lyla. As she got older, she only
focused on her studies. She hadn't experienced the darkness of this world or the viciousness of human
nature.
"She is one of us Taylors. Her noble status can be helpful, but it can also be detrimental to her."
Alyssa was breathing heavily. She felt as if something was clutching her heart, making her heart ache.
"There's one thing that she didn't think of. I remember her dream of becoming an actress.
"If she ends up going into the entertainment industry in the future, the assault incident would become a
shameful mark on her. She could never ever get rid of it.
"People will only be reminded of this whenever her name is mentioned. Her name will always be
associated with David's.
"How would she survive in the entertainment industry, then? How would she be able to find her place
there? Sharp words are silent killers. It is over for David once he dies, but she would have to bear with
people pointing fingers at her for the rest of her life!"
"I understand your concern, Lyse. But Taty is our sister. With us protecting her, who would dare to
touch her?" Jasper consoled her in a gentle voice.
Her eyes welled up with tears. She shook her head gloomily and said, "Lyla had Winston's protection.
Yet, she had to live with her trauma until Sophia self-destructed and ruined her reputation. I don't want
Taty to follow in her footsteps.
"I know that her situation is different. Lyla was set up, but Taty is clearly a victim. It is indeed very
courageous for a woman who met with such an incident to step forward and testify. I am proud of Taty
for having such courage.
"Nonetheless, the amount of pressure that she would have to shoulder after going all out is terrifying.
Countless eyes will be watching the Taylor family. Taty still wants to live in the limelight in the future.
"She was making a haste decision today. I don't want her to regret it for the rest of her life because of
that."
"Lyse, as her elder sister, you really do care for her." Jasper pulled her in for a tight embrace.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Jasper, I know that I'm asking for too much."
Alyssa rested her cheek on his shoulder. She choked back on her tears, saying, "I really wish I could
come up with a win-win strategy. I want everyone to be happy. But, more than that, I want to protect
those around me. Despite that, I realized that I am only human. This is all that I am able to do."
"It's great that you are admitting that you are human."
Jasper sighed. In order to make her relax, he joked, "I've always felt like I am dating a goddess. I'm
relieved to know that you are a human being."
Alyssa didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"You've really done your best, Lyse. What I've done is nothing compared to the things that you've
done."
Alyssa tutted with a slight smile on her face. "What a roundabout way to compliment someone."
Jasper replied quietly, "I have only one role to play when I'm with you—your lover."
Alyssa was acting strong initially. In an instant, her defense broke down, and a wave of emotions
gushed. She felt a lump in her throat, and she burst into tears.
Frantically, Jasper wiped her tears for her. She punched him lightly on his chest and cried out, "It's your
fault. Why did you trigger me for no good reason? You made me cry!"