Landon transported Jasper to the best hospital in Tsulu's capital city as fast as he could. Jasper was in a critical condition as he had suffered a severe injury and had lost a lot of blood. Ever since Landon was young, he barely cried. However, he couldn't help but tear up when he saw how pale and weak Jasper looked as the medical staff pushed him into the emergency room. He quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes. "Mr. Harper," said a cheerful voice from behind him. Landon was taken aback. He then turned around in confusion and noticed a man dressed in scrubs. "You are …"He had a vague memory of him. It was the man whom Alyssa brought as her partner to the cocktail party at Berenike Hotel. "I'm Julien Lovelace. You can call me Dr. Lovelace." Right after he introduced himself, he walked past Landon. As he brushed past him, he said in a low voice, "I will handle your friend's injury." "You? You are a doctor?" Landon stared at him with a gaze full o
Yet, it felt as if Alyssa's soul had gone over to Jasper's side. All that was left was a beautiful outer shell. Jonah let out a quiet sigh. He unbuttoned one of his shirt buttons and reached into his collar. He retrieved a silver cross, which he wore at all times. "Give this to Jasper when he wakes up." He placed the chain into Alyssa's palm and closed her fingers around it. "Jonah, this … This is …" she stammered in surprise, her eyes reflecting a sense of astonishment. "This chain isn't worth much, but it holds significant meaning to me. I've been wearing it for over ten years. Mysterious as it may seem, it has protected me all these years. Whenever I find myself in danger or get into big trouble, it has helped me get out of those situations." Jonah smiled bitterly, but he had a burning determination in his eyes at the same time. He continued, "Now that it has come to this, there is nothing else that I can do. It is all up to God. We just have to wait and see if Jasper
Alyssa and Axel were rendered speechless.Jonah's tone suggested he was upset.Was he standing up for Julien?Landon was Cornelius' eldest grandchild. He grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth. He never had to answer to anyone.However, even he, who wasn't sensitive to these things, could sense the trace of anger in Jonah's cold gaze. He let out an awkward laugh. "I-I-I'm just asking. I'm sure Mr. Jonah invited a miracle doctor. I worried for nothing.""Mr. Landon, Dr. Lovelace is a better doctor than me. Don't worry. The operation is in good hands."Alyssa choked slightly as she said it. Her eyes reddened. "Once Jasper gets over this, I still have to rely on Dr. Lovelace for his care."He is an expert in neurology. He should know what to do with Jasper's physical complications."Upon reaching the end of her statement, her tone softened, and her eyes betrayed a sense of guilt.Landon's breath quickened.He was careless with words, so he didn't dare to comfort her. He was
The commander cleared his throat. He spoke in fluent Grunslandish, "I would urge you to hand the hostage over, surrender any weapons in your possession, and follow us back for an investigation."Otherwise, we will deal with you seriously. Our country is strict in law. You will be accounted for each violation committed. You will not be able to bear the consequences.""Haha, strict in law? You've got to be kidding me." Alyssa laughed derisively. Intrigued, the commander sized Alyssa up. He then sneered. "Young lady, you have a sharp tongue. Aren't you afraid of spending the rest of your life in jail?"Jeffrey perked his ears up to listen to the conversation outside. He couldn't help but smile smugly."What's with the smile, you idiot?"Axel grabbed him and punched him in the face. Jeffrey's nose bled profusely."The one who should spend the rest of his life in jail should be the evil 'hostage' you spoke of."Alyssa's eyes were filled with hatred. A cold and intimidating glint fl
Everyone was on edge."Who the hell is this?" Landon spat out through gnashed teeth, a deep frown etched across his face.He loathed himself and Jasper for leaving too hastily. They didn't bring enough reinforcements to assert control and intimidate these troublemakers.A commander seemed insignificant here, earning no more respect than anyone else. Even a major would have to accord him the respect he deserved if they were in Solana City."You're a grown man. Why are you acting like a headless chicken, losing your composure when something happens?"Axel playfully teased Landon with a sidelong glance, the cigarette between his lips bobbing up and down. Despite his outward appearance of calm and composure, he tightly gripped the gun in his hand. "I don't care who the hell this is or whether he's alone or with a group. I will teach them a lesson.""You're right." Landon nodded, reacting quickly. Then, he frowned with anger. "Shit. What do you mean by a headless chicken? Take a loo
"Miley! Miley!"The moment Alyssa saw Miley, she couldn't help but scream. She was so excited that her eyes reddened.Jonah and Axel were shocked. "Miley!""Lyse!"Miley was thrilled. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at her family. Her voice trembled slightly. "Jonah, Axel!""O-Oh, my God!"Queen Magdalene covered her mouth, and she looked at them in shock. "Miley, don't tell me they are your family. This is unbelievable. No wonder you told me you had to bring me here to meet them, no matter what. Wow! My dearest best friend, I'm thrilled to meet your family in my country."Queen Magdalene sounded excited from her tone, innocent and sweet."I mentioned bringing you to Belbanks to visit my place before, but I never anticipated such a coincidental encounter with my siblings. I'm truly at a loss for words."Miley tried to maintain her current composure as she elegantly walked toward her family.As she walked past the commander, she cast a cold, disdainful gaze in hi
However, Queen Magdalene was merely part of the royal harem. She might have been in a high position, but she did not have real power. Considering the pros and cons of the situation, she wouldn't protect foreigners."Citizens?" Miley scoffed. "The person my sister caught is not from Tsulu. He is from our country. However, my country has no grounds for extradition from your country. Therefore, the cops couldn't bring this despicable murderer to custody."Based on what I know, those killed at gunpoint were no saints either. They were vicious people who had blood on their hands. They settled themselves in Shelland Island with the backing of arms dealers. They did nothing but evil there."Your police force didn't capture or charge them for their crimes. In turn, you gave them immunity. Haha! Mr. Brock, you have such galls. You went as far as to collude with the government, disregarding the law of the land and failing to distinguish wrong from right. And all of these happened right under
The police chief, Miguel Brock, had engaged in collusion and accepted bribes. For years, he had leveraged his position to shield criminals, disregarding the country's welfare and its citizens' safety. Now, he was attempting to aid his arms-dealing accomplices in evading the law and assisting a murderer's escape."After careful consideration with the parliament, I hereby decree that Miguel Brock be removed from his position, be apprehended immediately, and receive severe punishment." Everyone's jaws dropped.The king personally decreed for Miguel to be removed from his position for the benefit of a few foreigners.There was likely more to the situation than initially apparent.When Queen Magdalene heard that decree, a smile appeared on her face. She was intrigued. She eyed Miley secretly and winked at her.Miley's face was as red as a tomato.In the car, Jeffrey's eyes darkened. He felt more hopeless than death itself."I-I was following someone's orders! I had no choice!"Mig
Jonah's gaze burned with a mix of longing, sorrow, and something deeply affectionate. The world swam back into focus as Julien looked at Jonah. Without preamble, he asked, "Are you new? How much do you charge per night?"Light-headed and grinning, Julien reached out a hand, his fingers brushing softly against Jonah's cheek. "You're pretty good-looking," he said, his voice slurred. Then his expression shifted. "Why do you… look so much like someone I hate with every fiber of my being?"Jonah's heart clenched. Even so, he slid his arms around Julien's waist. Trembling, he pulled Julien into his arms. "I'm new here. Could you help me meet my target tonight, Mr. Lovelace?"Julien's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Jonah. Jonah's eyes teared up as he held Julien's waist tightly. "I promise you won't be disappointed," he said, his voice deep. Watching from the shadows below the stage, Evan nearly gagged at Jonah's sultry tone. Was this really the Judas he knew? The man sounded downri
The bar was alive with striking lights and thundering music, and the air was thick with the scent of tobacco and alcohol. The atmosphere was one of moral decay—corrupt, degrading, and vile. "Where's Julien?" Jonah's voice cut through the noise, his tone icy and sharp. When Jonah stepped inside, the eyes of several men turned toward him, their gazes filled with illicit intent."Why, hello there. Are you here alone? Are you feeling lonely?" A sexy man sauntered over, draping himself over Jonah's shoulders. He let his hands linger with a playful squeeze. "If you're bored, I'd be happy to keep you company." Jonah's expression darkened. His hands trembled, veins bulging with barely contained rage. Suddenly, Evan burst through the crowd, his face twisting in alarm at the sight of Jonah surrounded by a swarm of predatory men. Evan yelled, "Don't touch him!" A heavy thump reverberated through the room. Gasps erupted as people scrambled back.The man who had draped himself over
Rafe stated, "But Beckett Group is in the middle of a storm right now. If I insisted on giving your corporation the project, my superiors would investigate me. I wouldn't be able to escape unscathed!""If you're investigated, I'll make sure you can still live a life of luxury—even if you lose your job." Justin's tone darkened. "But if you turn against me, you won't just suffer a few losses. You'll lose everything."Under the dim moonlight, Justin fiddled with his antique tea cup, his gaze narrowing. "You've worked so hard to get to where you are. Are you prepared to lose it all?"After ending the call, Justin turned to Remy, who stood quietly at the side. "Sheryl is still being detained. She can't be bailed out for another two days. I need someone to watch over the research lab. You'll handle that."Remy was taken aback. "I failed my last mission. Aren't you going to punish me?"Justin's smile was cold and insincere. "It wasn't your fault. You were ambushed. If not for that, I tru
Remy pursed his lips, bending down to pick up the fallen poker card. It was the King of Spades—an entry pass to Kings' Club. "My attacker was…" Remy's pupils constricted as he tightened his grip on the card. "It can only be that dear uncle of mine, always claiming to see me as his own son." Justin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "He's trying to get rid of my right-hand man, taking advantage of my internal feud with Jasper. Weakening me is just his first step toward gaining control over me."He's been a fugitive ever since his successful prison break, never returning to Cyrris after receiving his life sentence. His power base remains in Kontina. "I'm the last surviving Dutton. The Dutton Group, as a cover, has declared bankruptcy and severed all ties with the country. "My dear uncle has taken a huge risk just to target me. He sent his men to attack you in Solana City. What a delightful surprise. It seems he truly doesn't trust me, his only remaining family."Remy lowere
The hospital ward grew heavy with silence. Mandy and Neil stared at Alyssa, stunned beyond words. "M-Ms. Alyssa, you knew that man was Mr. Damien?" Neil asked, disbelief etched into his voice. "Yes." Alyssa's reply was quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "We found out when Cyrus took Damien's cigarette butt for a paternity test."Mandy approached Alyssa, her shoulders trembling slightly. "So, you and Cyrus knew… and you both kept it from me?" Mandy said, her voice catching in her throat, tears welling up. Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Mandy, I'm sorry. It was my decision. Cyrus had nothing to do with it."Mandy's tears fell freely now, her grief spilling out in raw sobs. "Do you know what it's been like for me all these years, thinking Damien was gone? Winston, Miley, Lyla, and Colene kept telling me to move on. I tried to accept that he was dead, that we'd never find his body. But I never did."Her vo
The hospital ward was bathed in a dim, yellow glow from the bedside lamp. The silence was thick, yet the room held a strange warmth—an unfamiliar comfort that felt oddly familiar to Remy.Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to sit up. His eyes fell on Mandy, who was asleep beside his bed. Her hair was a mess, and her swollen eyes suggested she'd been crying. She was sound asleep. Remy stiffened. His breath quickened as he stared at her fragile figure. Slowly, he leaned forward, his fingers lifting slightly, tempted to reach out.Just as his hand hovered close, Mandy's lashes fluttered. In her sleep, she murmured, "Damien… Damien… I miss you so much…" Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unbidden.A pang tugged at Remy's heart. Without thinking, he brushed away her tears with his calloused fingers. The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through him, sharp and electrifying. Pain throbbed at his temples, but beneath it was a warmth he didn't want to let g
Justin's casual question hit Javier like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through him, freezing his expression. His voice trembled with fear as he barked, "What nonsense is that? Are you accusing me of causing Chester's death? I'm your father—how could you think I'd do such a thing?""It's not an accusation. Just the facts," Justin replied coolly, crossing his legs and savoring his tea with unsettling calm. "And I'm not condemning you. In fact, I understand why you did it. I'm facing the same dilemma now."Javier's breathing grew ragged. He had watched Justin grow from a child into the man before him—now a predator, circling with quiet menace."You were meant to be the heir as the eldest son," Justin continued, his voice smooth as silk. "But Grandpa favored Uncle Chester, handing him major projects, grooming him in plain sight. "Uncle Chester's reputation soon eclipsed yours. He was a natural leader, adept at business, with one fatal flaw—he was kind. Too kind. Unlike you."Justin
Nonetheless, night had fallen by the time Justin arrived at Seaview Manor. On his way there, he worked on two things. First, he secured the top legal team to get Sheryl out on bail as quickly as possible. Second, he tried reaching Remy—unsuccessfully. He had never lost contact with Remy before. Justin's face was as dark as the night itself. The moment he stepped inside Seaview Manor, Rory approached with a solemn expression. He gave a slight bow before speaking. "Mr. Justin, what took you so long? Mr. Javier has been waiting.""I was occupied," Justin replied coolly. Then, as if it were an ordinary evening, he allowed a faint smile. "Where's Jasper? Is he back here yet?" A conflicted look came across Rory's face. "Things between you and Mr. Jasper have soured. I doubt he'll want to see you anytime soon—or show up here.""Is that so? How disappointing."Justin's smile didn't reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on Rory, sharp and bottomless. "So, he'd rather believe what he se
Jonah scoured every corner of the hotel, desperation clawing at his chest, but Julien was nowhere to be found. "Jonah!" Alyssa called out, breathless as she caught up to him. She grabbed his arm. "Calm down! I'll help you search for Jul!""I can't find him. He's gone," Jonah murmured, sinking to the floor. His tears mixed with sweat, creating dark patches on the ground. "Lyse… I fear… if I can't find Julien this time, I'll lose him forever."The agonizing thought of losing the love of his life pierced him. "No, you won't!" Alyssa gripped his arm tighter, her voice trembling with conviction. "If Jul had given up on you, he wouldn't have come here today. The fact that he showed up means he still cares."Jonah's eyes were bloodshot, filled with a pain too deep to hide. He shook his head slowly. "Julien came back for Jasper. He did it because he's loyal… because he's a good friend. Not because of me.""He does care!" Alyssa insisted. "If he didn't, he would've faced you without fli