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
The king's decree had crushed Jeffrey's dream of seeking refuge in Tsulu.Not only that, it appeared that the royalty had attempted to use the opportunity to wrestle power from the military and diminish its influence, as well as deliver a blow to the mafia.In fact, the entire episode was a struggle for power between the royalty and the military. Jeffrey Synder alone was not worth the attention otherwise.It was Miley who informed Alyssa about the happenings, but Alyssa had it all figured out early on. What concerned her the most was Inigo Montoye, the military personnel whom Miguel had ratted on.The more she pondered about the matter, the more doubtful she became. However, her most immediate worry was Jasper's condition rather than figuring out the mastermind.For the time being, Jeffrey was in jail, awaiting a transfer. Back in Solana City, Cyrus had informed his superior and rushed to Tsulu overnight to repatriate Jeffrey.…At midnight, the hospital corridor buzzed with a
Axel seemed to have inherited the Taylors' traits of being vindictive and bitter.Every time Axel thought of how Jasper treated his sister, he couldn't help but take a jab at Jasper. For a second, he almost forgot that Jasper was battling for his life in the operating room."He faced bullying in school due to his background, but he hid his wounds to avoid worrying his mom. He never shared his struggles with her."Axel interjected angrily, "Fuck! I hate school bullies the most! They are pure evil." Crushing his cigarette box, he felt a fire burning within. "Why was Jasper so weak? He could have beaten the hell out of them. I couldn't believe that Jasper Beckett was bullied. He should have rammed them with his Rolls-Royce or something.""It's easy to go against a guy or two, but what happens when a group bullies you?" Landon questioned with pangs of sympathy.Axel's eyes wavered as he inadvertently clenched his fists.Landon explained, "Axel, you were born to Mr. Taylor and the wom
Alyssa began, "You kept the operation under wraps. I know Jasper well—he's always been cautious, and he couldn't have leaked the details of his operation."Even if Jeffrey Snyder's men alerted him after you and Jasper landed on the island, the enforcements who showed up should have been Snyder's accomplices. Why would the military personnel show up with heavy weapons? It's so bizarre.""That's true. I feel that Inigo's men seemed to have come for me and Jasper instead of backing up Jeffrey Snyder." Jonah held his breath when he recalled Jasper's words. "Jasper told me that he was 90 percent sure of the individual who sent the military enforcements, but we did not have the chance to discuss further because of the urgent situation."Alyssa's eyes widened in shock. "Did Jasper meet with Inigo before? Why did he reach out to Tsulian military personnel?"Jonah shook his head. "No. Jasper told me that someone in Cyrris was working discreetly with Inigo to assassinate us."Someone in Cyr
"Mr. Lexington," the doctor greeted respectfully, lowering his head slightly. Everyone at the base knew who Sheryl and Remy were. They were the ones in charge, the decision-makers. So, everyone obeyed their orders without question. To the staff unaware of the facility's true purpose, Sheryl and Remy stood at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. Unbeknownst to them, someone more powerful lurked in the shadows."How has she been these past few days?" Remy asked, his expression unreadable."She's had some adverse reactions, but there are no signs of organ failure yet. Honestly, I'm surprised. She looks frail, but her body is incredibly resilient—stronger than some men, even."The doctor scoffed. "But I'm not sure if she'll make it past her fourth injection today. Last month, four test subjects didn't survive beyond that point. Their bodies have already been sent to the incinerator." Remy's jaw tensed. His voice was husky as he said, "As I've instructed, this woman must be kept alive.
Xavier seethed as he took in the insincere smile on Justin's face. Deep down, he was cursing him with every profanity imaginable. "Whatever makes you happy."Ignoring Justin's dark gaze, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead as he strode past him.Out of nowhere, Justin chuckled and asked, "Did you really think you had people on your side during the board meeting?"Jasper halted, his eyes narrowing. "Grandpa tried his best to shield you, but his health is failing by the day. How much longer do you think an old man can protect you?"Lowering his gaze, Justin idly adjusted the ruby cufflinks on his sleeves. His voice was casual yet cutting. "And Lyse—after how ruthlessly you discarded her, do you still believe she'll stand by you no matter what? That she'll fight alongside you like before?"The intense midday sun accentuated the sharp, aloof, and pallid features of Jasper's face as he stood, unyielding, in its glare. His pulse quickened. Finally, he answered, his voice a low rasp. "R
As the board meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.News of Justin securing his position as president and Alyssa joining the board quickly spread through Beckett Group.After the meeting, Alyssa escorted Newton back to Crescent Bay while Jasper remained at the corporation to handle some matters.With Xavier accompanying him, Jasper strode toward the chairman's office, his expression cold and unreadable.Nearby, a few employees huddled together, whispering."Psst! Do you think Alyssa joining the board means she's teaming up with Jasper to take down our new president?""People have been saying they broke up since they haven't been seen together for a while," another speculated."But at the press conference, Alyssa openly condemned Mr. Justin. That looked like she was siding with Jasper. So, are they still together or not?""Come on, to people like them, personal feelings don't matter—only their own interests do. Even if they broke up, they can still work together if it
When Jonah reached the bedside, he leaned in slowly, giving Julien an unobstructed view of his tanned skin, well-defined abs, and that devastatingly captivating face. Reclining against the headboard, Julien found himself lost in Jonah's eyes. His breath hitched, and his mind momentarily blanked as Jonah's mesmerizing gaze locked onto him. What could he do? His heart still betrayed him, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He was a fool—a pathetic fool. Jonah braced his arms on either side of Julien's head, his dark eyes overflowing with a raw, possessive affection. It was as if he sought to consume Julien—just as he had last night."Julien, does it still hurt—" "Fuck you!" Julien's bloodshot eyes blazed as he swung his hand, landing a sharp slap across Jonah's face. The illusion of his frailty shattered. A crimson handprint bloomed on Jonah's cheek in a split second, the flesh puffing up visibly. But the sting barely registered. Not when the ache in Jonah's chest was alr
Justin frowned as a hint of surprise flashed across his dark eyes. He had assumed Newton's unannounced appearance at the board meeting—along with Alyssa's involvement—was a coordinated effort with Jasper to overthrow him as president. After mentally running through hundreds of countermeasures, the one possibility he hadn't considered was that everything would proceed smoothly in his favor. Javier was equally stunned, though this outcome aligned with his desires. Today, Justin wasn't merely his son but a constant shadow looming over him, a silent predator watching his every move and reminding him that his past actions weren't completely buried. Instead, this secret loomed like a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment, obliterating everything he'd built. And the person holding the detonator was Justin—his eldest son whom he had trusted above all others. With a dim gaze, Javier watched Justin rise to his feet amid the applause. Suddenly, Justin's voice seemed distant,
Justin curled his lips into a smirk, scoffing in silence. Newton had gone to great lengths to bring Alyssa into Beckett Group. This was his way of decentralizing power and keeping it in check, and he wanted to prevent Justin from having complete control. Unlike others, Javier couldn't hold himself back. He blew his top instantly, his face turning red like a tomato. "Dad, have you lost your mind? Don't you know who she is? She is KS Group's president—our direct competitor!"KS Group is also bidding for Project A5. No matter how much you favor her, you should at least recognize the limits. If you promote her, it's a blatant conflict of interest—outright cronyism!" Newton sneered. "I might understand your concern if I were promoting someone other than Alyssa."His gaze hardened. "Cronyism? A conflict of interest? I wonder who you're really talking about."With those words, he cast a knowing, enigmatic glance at Justin's blank expression. Just then, a board member from Javier's
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa