Can’t Win Me Back

On their way to their destination, Alyssa stared out the window. She didn’t glance at Jasper.
Obviously, she was being hostile to him.
Jasper kept glancing at Alyssa from time to time. There were times when he wanted to ask her a
question, but he found it difficult to speak up.
Newton’s villa was located in Crescent Bay in Solana City. Stretches of mountains surrounded the area, making it tranquil and
scenic. The neighborhood was like a paradise hidden from the rest of
the city.
“Grandpa, I’m here to visit you!”
Alyssa smiled brightly the moment she stepped into the villa. Her clear voice was akin to a nightingale’s sweet call.
Truthfully speaking, she was a little worried because of what happened to the bracelet. She had to spend a long time mustering
her courage. Then, she finally walked through the front door.
“You’re here, Alice! I missed you so much!” Newton exclaimed from his wheelchair. Ben was wheeling him out.
The old man perked up instantly when he finally saw his granddaughter–in–law. The delight on
his face was undeniable.
“Where did you go, Alice? Are you planning to abandon me? Do you not love me anymore?”
Newton clutched Alyssa’s hand tightly while flooding her with questions.
Jasper just scowled in displeasure.
He wondered if his grandfather was a flirt at heart. Newton was almost 80, yet he was still hitting
on Alice.
“Grandpa, I’ve been busy with work lately. I was out on a business trip. That was why I didn’t call you on the phone. It’s my fault
for neglecting you. You can scold me if you want.”

Alyssa crouched down in front of Newton. She smiled sweetly at him.
“Oh, I don’t have the heart to scold you, my dear Alice! I’m so happy that I get to see you again!”
Newton turned to glare at Jasper. He added, “If it weren’t for a certain ingrate who’s a bad judge of character, you could’ve
visited me every day. I wouldn’t have to go through so much trouble just to
see you again.”
Alyssa’s smile froze on her face. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
+15 BONUS
Jasper’s expression darkened immediately. He knew that he shouldn’t have gone to Newton’s villa
in the first place. Getting insulted by his grandfather was a tradition at this point.
“Alice, I received a new painting recently. I didn’t want to show it to anyone else because I wanted
you to be the first one to see it.” Newton took Alyssa’s hand and led her to his study.
“You want me to appraise the painting for you, right, Grandpa?” Alyssa remarked with a small
smile. She had light dimples decorating her cheeks whenever she smiled.
“Heh! You saw through my plan!”
Meanwhile, Jasper was surprised to hear the newfound information.
He was Alyssa’s husband for three years. Yet he had no idea she was such a sassy woman skilled at racing, painting, and
sewing. Now, he found out that she was also good at appraising paintings.
How could one person be equipped with so many talents? Jasper refused to believe that Alyssa
was that skilled.
That was why he wanted to see her in action.

Ben was already donning white gloves in the study. He carefully placed the painting on the mahogany desk so the others could
look at it.
“Alice, this is my new painting. Can you help me appraise it?” Newton asked eagerly.
“Of course, Grandpa.”
Alyssa bent over the painting while studying it with a magnifying glass. Her left hand was folded behind her back as she
appraised it carefully.
Jasper noticed how cold and stoic her expression was. It made him smile unconsciously.
He never thought that she looked like an elderly scholar despite her youthful and beautiful looks. It was an interesting contrast.
Newton noticed the emerald bracelet wrapped around Alyssa’s left wrist. A glint appeared in his
but his smile was still affectionate.
eyes,
“This is Wivenhoe Park, a famous painting created by John Constable.” Alyssa smiled confidently
as she spoke.
“That’s right.” Newton nodded happily.
“Constable is known for his landscape paintings. He found inspiration in the countryside, which is why he usually included
greenery in his paintings. Constable’s also known for using rich colors. and light in his paintings to convey how magical nature is
”
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Jasper enjoyed listening to her explanation. He kept staring at her side profile without realizing it.
“I’m sorry to tell you this, Grandpa, but this painting isn’t the actual masterpiece. One of his descendants created this painting
through imitation. Then again, this painter’s style in very
similar to Constable’s ”

The real pamting was displayed in Winston’s private att studio, after all.
“Huh? Oh my, it seems that I got the wrong painting again!” Newton sighed in disappointment. Alyssa happened to look up at
that moment. It was then she made eye contact with Jasper.