Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Chapter 186

Alyssa stood on stage, her face delicately painted with peacock blue and purple. Her bright eyes met Jasper's, sending another jolt into his heart.

When she began singing, her voice thoroughly enchanted him.

"The sweet sound! His voice struck me! Ah, that voice, which has descended into my heart!"

Jasper stared at her in shock. The two seemed so close yet so far, one a young, promising woman, one a rich family's heir.

One smile from her was enough to rock his entire world.

"Is that ... Is that really Alice?" Newton asked, shocked. "It really is! Look at her features, her delicate cheeks, her beautiful smile. That's... That really is her!"

Jasper suddenly fell back into his seat.

Delicate cheeks ... beautiful smile ...

His temple began to throb painfully.

"Jasper? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Landon asked, seeing how his friend's face looked pale.

"I'm ... fine," Jasper grunted, massaging his temples as he sank into his thoughts.

Why was Alyssa's name suddenly so familiar? Where had he heard it before? It almost felt like they had met one another many, many years ago.

Newton had chosen the aria "The Sweet Voice" for his birthday.

Alyssa used to visit him and perform some arias to cheer him up. She still remembered how overjoyed the old man had been when she first sang for him, the tears nearly falling down his face as he reminisced about the time with his wife.

Doris used to be a famous classical opera singer in the country. Newton had been her loyal fan, loving her even before they actually knew each other. He had powered through the immense pressure of being head of his powerful family to marry her, and finally, they did.

Alyssa had always admired their deep, loving relationship. It was something she had never been blessed enough to have.

But only after the divorce with Jasper did she realize that her love life would never amount to anything more than a train wreck.

The guests got more and more entranced, turning quiet as they enjoyed Alyssa's performance.

"I heard them say this is Mr. Jasper Beckett's ex-wife! She's so talented. You barely see anyone who's so multi-faceted nowadays. Not to mention youngsters who appreciate a good aria."

"Hey, she's not his ex. They're still married."

"Who knows if their relationship will recover? Have you seen the way he looks at her? So gentle and so loving. One look, and you can tell that Jasper still has feelings for her."

"I don't think I could let her go. She's so beautiful and talented, and Mr. Beckett Senior truly dotes on her. Besides, the other choice was that cheapskate," someone snorted.

Upon hearing this, Liana glared at the guests speaking and stormed off from her seat.

She found a corner in the garden to brood by herself, trying to concoct another evil scheme.

Sophia's text message from earlier clearly insinuated that if she didn't act soon, she would very soon crumble under Alyssa's feet. However, she wasn't that easily fooled into becoming a pawn for Sophia, so she had to watch out for herself.

She needed someone to join her in this, and Betty was her best choice, so Liana texted her.

Very soon, Betty came marching over, just as pissed.

"Hmph, how many tricks does she still have up her sleeve? She's gone and saved the day once again!"

"Calm down, Betty. So what if she knows how to sing opera? Back then, no proper woman or lady would be involved with a profession like this. Their livelihood depended on the men favoring them and providing them sustenance. They're only fit to serve people like us." Liana truly had a way with words.

"You have a very good point, Lia. That bitch can sing her fucking opera. She thinks she's talented? She's a disgrace, is what she is!"

"Have you ever thought of getting back at Alice, Betty?" Liana suddenly suggested.

"Every single day! I want to peel her skin off and bleed her out!" Betty growled out, her fists trembling by her sides.

Liana went and hugged Betty's arm, saying, "I ... might have an idea. Something I would need your help with. It will need your full cooperation, though."