The first time Sean appeared at an event, he was accompanying MJasper Sr. to a high–profile birthday banquet for the most powerful official in Sterling City. Even that official treated Mr. Jasir Sr. with deference and respect.
The second time Thomas saw him was three years ago, at a business gala. His father had brought him along to build connections and gain experience. Sean stood at the center of attention, surrounded by a crowd of powerful elites. So many people tried to approach him, but most never got the chance.
Thomas’s father had warned him back then, “You can mess around however you want outside, but there’s one person you must never cross. If you ever offend the Jasper heir, don’t bother coming home. The family will cut ties with you immediately to avoid getting dragged into trouble.”
Thomas knew his dad wasn’t joking or trying to scare him.
He was the third son in the family, and not even the favored one. His two older brothers were far more capable, and his father had three mistresses. Two of them had already given birth to children–a son and a daughter.
Both his legitimate brothers and the illegitimate children were smarter, more accomplished, and more loved by their father
than he ever was.
Thomas was the useless one. The kind they could toss aside without a second thought.
Within seconds, cold sweat broke out on his back as those memories came rushing in.
And then, the pit in his stomach sank even deeper.
Thomas noticed Sean turn to the woman who had once gotten him thrown into holding.
There was concern written all over his face as he asked, “Lottie, are you okay?”
Thomas froze. “What? She knows Sean Jasper?” he thought.
And judging by the way he looked at her, they were clearly close.
A tremor ran through Thomas. His legs began to give out beneath him.
Charlotte shook her head and replied calmly, “I’m fine.”
Meanwhile, Carmen, sensing the shift in power, had completely lost her earlier arrogance. She tried to slip away quietly through
the crowd.
Someone in the crowd stuck out a foot and tripped her. Carmen went sprawling on the ground, looking pathetic.
Mocking voices followed quickly.
“Well, well. Where do you think you’re going, Carmen?”
“Didn’t you just say the Riley heiress was cheap and vain, wearing knockoffs and fake bags? Why so quiet now?”
“Yeah, we all heard you humiliate her just now. Don’t you think you owe her a public apology?”
“Guess it’s karma. Bet you never imagined that ‘cheap girl‘ was actually Charlotte Riley, the heiress of Jersey City’s richest family. What happened, Carmen? All out of insults now?”
Carmen got up, humiliated beyond belief.
Not far away, Sean shot her a piercing, bone–chilling glare.
She shivered and walked over to Charlotte with her head bowed, voice trembling.
“I’m sorry, Miss Riley. I shouldn’t have said those things about you.”
1/3
Chapter 473
+25 BONUS
“Said“?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow. She had no intention of letting her off easy. “You publicly insulted and defarned me in front of a crowd, and now you want to call it just ‘saying something?”
Carmen’s lips trembled. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to an, hoping to win his sympathy.
Softening her voice, she pleaded, “Mr. Jasper, it was just a misunderstanding. I already apologized to Miss Riley. Could you please let this go?”
She was sure of herself. Men always fell for her teary, fragile act, and she took great pride in her looks.
But Sean only gave her a look of pure disgust.
“No,” he said coldly.
