Silas grew serious.

"Calm down, Lyse. You need to watch out for your health," Jasper said, holding onto Alyssa's trembling hands. "Especially after you just ate. You have a weak stomach; getting angry might make it worse." Alyssa sat down angrily. Jasper quickly embraced her and kissed her temple. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Though he was calming her down, she still quivered in anger.

Rose said through uneven breathing, "This really is Josh's doing. I'd asked Clarissa before why she didn't rebel against him. Times have changed, after all. She could've sued for divorce and made Josh pay at any point in time so long as she had ample evidence.

"But... Clarissa was really terrified of Josh. It almost seemed like Josh had some deadly upper hand over her, making it so that she never dared make a move, even if it meant meeting her death at his hands one day. Clarissa ran off before I could finish talking to her."

Silas' gaze darkened somewhat when he gazed at Rose's pale face. He'd noticed how she had reacted. It was as if she was in Clarissa's shoes instead of being an outsider.

There must be so many things Rose was hiding from Silas.

"The Schmidts are hosting a cocktail party in two weeks and have already sent invites to all sorts of powerful and influential people." Jasper's eyes glinted coldly. "Xavier informed me on our way here earlier that Javier had received an invite."

"Huh? Why didn't we receive any? Where's the respect?" Alyssa huffed.

Jasper clasped her shoulder and said hoarsely, "I'm afraid Jameson might want to personally deliver it to you here in Belbanks."

Silas held Rose's hand under the desk and mumbled, "Will he stop being so jealous for once?"

Alyssa's eyes narrowed fondly. "If Jameson comes over, I'll shove the invite up his ass and tell him to scram!"

Jasper chuckled and kissed her on the lips.

"Now I understand. Clarissa must've come to get a custom dress from Rose because Josh forced her to. All the guests are bound to dress up glamorously during the cocktail party. Someone as egoistic as Josh would definitely want his own wife to shine," Alyssa concluded and shook her head in pity. "Josh would probably beat Clarissa to near death again if she didn't."

Alyssa was truly concerned for that poor woman.

Jasper's lips pulled taut when he recalled how he'd judged Clarissa at first. Guilt welled up in his chest.

"Madam, I was wondering whether you and Mr. Jasper could find a way to win Clarissa over to our side. If she can testify that Josh abused her, the odds would tip in our favor against the Schmidts!" Rose said. Alyssa sighed dully. "Things aren't that simple, Rose. The Schmidt family is one of the four great families and is even on par with the Beckett family in Solana City. Jasper and I have battled against them for so long, yet their stronghold barely shifted an inch, even after losing two of their children and that project in Tsulu.

"The Sparks family is incredibly miniscule in comparison to the Schmidt family. Their patriarch has long retired. What power would Clarissa have to back her up against Josh? Even if she goes against him, what will happen to her family? The Schmidts are capable of destroying the Sparks in an instant if they're crossed."

Rose was at a loss for words. She really was too naïve.

There were many things in this world that couldn't be achieved with just passion and persistence. Reality was always crueler than fiction.

"Rose does have a point, Lyse," Jasper said after some consideration. "Clarissa has been by Josh's side for years. She must know more about him than just how cruel and bloodthirsty he can be. "Clarissa might even know his deepest, darkest secrets. If she does join us, it'll be much easier for us to take down Josh, with the addition of the evidence Axel provided."

Alyssa's brows were furrowed. "But that brings us back to square one-why would Clarissa help us? She must really value and love her family if she's able to suffer so much pain."

"That's only because Clarissa has a weakness." Jasper smiled. "All we have to do is make it so that she doesn't, no?"

Alyssa suddenly understood what Jasper meant. "Are you saying we should back the Sparks family up?"

"That's a great idea!" Both Silas and Rose said at the same time.

"I'll send someone to follow Clarissa starting tomorrow and get Xavier to obtain information about her family. We need to find a key point to strike and upturn her barriers," Jasper decided firmly. It was quite encouraging to hear, even as none of them were certain about the outcome.

Alyssa intertwined her fingers with Jasper's, eyes glowing brightly. "Josh will never expect the greatest key to his downfall to be right beside him!"

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