"Are you alright, Jeremy? Let me know if you feel sick. Don't keep it to yourself," Miley expressed her concern.Remaining by his side, she noticed how pale he looked. He seemed to have aged overnight, which pained her. "Remember the time you insisted on delivering a speech at a school despite having appendicitis? You fainted from pain as soon as you left the stage. "The doctor later said you could have died if you hadn't been rushed to the hospital in time. You always make me worry. You need to take better care of yourself.""It's okay. I know you'll take care of me." Jeremy smilingly pinched Miley's cheek."I'm being serious!" Miley grumbled and playfully poked him on the waist.Jeremy nonchalantly said, "I felt fine except for a bit of dizziness and fatigue. I'll have my secretary buy two bowls of vegetable soup—one for me and one for you. You will need it."Alyssa entered the room and joked, "Jeremy, you should get something meatier with higher iron content. Vegetable soup w
"It's no big deal. What good am I if I can't even help you with this?" Jeremy looked a little bashful when Alyssa thanked him profusely.At that moment, he received a call from the Tsulian king, which he immediately answered. During the call, his expression turned somber, worrying Alyssa.After Jeremy hung up, Miley quickly asked, "Jeremy, is there a problem?""Inigo is no longer in Tsulu. He left the country," Jeremy replied flatly with a deep look."He left? Did he escape through the night after he received a tip-off?" Alyssa wondered aloud with furrowed brows."No. He has always been in Cyrris, long before the attack occurred.""Where in Cyrris?" Alyssa gasped."Solana City."Hearing that, Alyssa was left dumbstruck. She rolled her fists, recalling what Jonah had shared with her. Before the attack, Jasper had revealed to Jonah that forces in Solana City had conspired with the Tsulian authorities, and he was 90 percent sure about the identity of the mastermind in Solana City.
Alyssa was appalled. She could not wrap her head around the fact that the criminal Jeremy had mentioned was the same gentleman who took great care of her. Jameson turned out to be a real-life Jekyll and Hyde."Not only that, Jameson Schmidt once attempted to rig the presidential elections." Miley looked traumatized when she recalled the incident and gripped Jermey's hand tightly. "He resorted to underhanded tactics to manipulate the narrative around Jeremy. "Thankfully, Jeremy's opponents did not manage to find dirt on him because he had a clean record. Otherwise, Jeremy would be behind bars by now."Inhaling sharply, Alyssa turned cold from head to toe. She exclaimed, "Since when has Jameson turned into a monster? How did he …""Kontina's society is pretty complex. As Jameson is not a local, he had to play dirty to establish himself. After all, the primitive accumulation of capital always comes with violence."Nevertheless, he has crossed a line. If he does not observe basic soc
The look in Jameson's eyes was best described as sinister, like an evil spirit from hell."Don't stare at me like that! I wouldn't have done this to a friend. I had no choice but to do this to you because you're manipulative and fickle!" Shuddering, Inigo clenched his jaw and added, "Years of friendship taught me that you are a merciless man. I will have to look out for myself.""Do you really have the recording?" Jameson squinted and drawled."Hah! Scared, aren't you?" Inigo chuckled gleefully. "It doesn't make sense for me to carry it around. Of course, I have it saved somewhere secure. Lay a finger on me, and I will make the recording public."Jameson asked coldly, "So, what are your demands?" He never beat around the bush in negotiations."Get me a private jet. Send my men and I abroad. I'll need enough money, too! Do you know how much trouble I went through to deal with those two guys? You shouldn't be stingy.""How much would you need?""A hundred million dollars, transfer
After Jasper sailed through the observation period without major issues, he was finally allowed to be transferred out of the ICU, much to everyone's relief.A week had passed since he received the emergency operation. During the week, Alyssa rooted herself by his side, not leaving even once, as though her life relied on him.She woke up by his bed when dawn broke and fell asleep at the same place at night. As Jasper was in a deep coma, he relied on the IV drip to sustain his life. Due to his worrying condition, Alyssa lost weight and looked exhausted out of worry.Her siblings were concerned about her health, but there was nothing they could do. They were well aware that she would continue languishing if Jasper remained in a coma, just like a flower slowly wilting.…One night, with Jonah and Axel's help, Alyssa proceeded to clean Jasper's body.From her marriage to Jasper, she remembered that he was fastidious about cleanliness, a clean freak who wouldn't wear a suit if the su
"I'm your brother, for heaven's sake! How could you go physical on me? You nearly broke my ribs," Axel grumbled and pouted. He'd never show this side of his character to anyone but his brother.Jonah remarked, "That was a punishment for running your mouth. Hope you learned your lesson.""Gosh. I was joking. Don't you have a sense of humor?" Then, Axel stole a glance at his crotch and scoffed unhappily. Like any man, he was oddly competitive over everything."By the way, isn't Lyse bored out of the mind, staying by Jasper's side? She doesn't eat, drink, sleep, or check her phone at all," Axel asked with curiosity."No. You'll never be bored when you stay by your lover's side."Axel frowned at the reply. "I don't get it …""Axel, we've always felt you were the smartest amongst the few of us, but you're slow when it comes to matters of the heart. I bet you still can't grasp the meaning of being deeply in love with someone," Jonah commented.With that, he lapsed into deep though
Alyssa rubbed her eyes hard and stared at Jasper's hand. She harbored a suspicion that Jasper's movement was an illusion due to her fatigue.Still, she called out tentatively in a trembling voice, "Jasper? Jasper? Can you hear me? Move your fingers if you can. Jasper Beckett!""Lyse …" he uttered weakly.His feeble voice was deafening in the silent room. Elated, Alyssa asked, "Jasper, are you awake? Can you hear me? Jasper?"His pale lips trembled a little as he called out her name again like a murmur in a dream. Even in his dreams, Alyssa was the only thing in his mind.As tears rolled down her face, she responded, "I'm here!"Right then, he slowly unfurled his fingers and interlocked them with hers. Once a symbol of courage and strength, he had always offered her protection, but he now struggled with the simplest of movements."What … did you … write … on my palm?" he questioned.Her face flushed instantly.He pressed on, eyes full of anticipation, "I don't … want you … to w
It took Jasper only half a month to wake up from his coma after receiving emergency medical treatment, which was remarkable. Any ordinary patient would have lost the battle in the operating room, and even if they survived, it might take them longer to wake up from the coma.After Jasper was awake, Julien assessed his condition and attributed Jasper's quick recovery to his exceptional physique and military background.In the morning, Alyssa accompanied Jasper to complete some medical checkups. Throughout the process, he behaved well, like a child who attended medical appointments with his mother. He cooperated well without a word of complaint."Have you ever seen Lyse behaving so motherly and saint-like? I nearly prayed to her." Axel clicked his tongue.He shot an envious look at the wheelchair-bound Jasper as Alyssa draped a blanket over the latter. He added, "I guess Lyse is no longer one of us. Her brothers don't matter anymore now that she has a man. She won't take a look at us
Even without Jasper's presence, he was confident that the Taylors and the rescue team would have been able to save Alyssa. It became clear what the person manipulating Remy had been aiming for.But why had Remy let Jasper go at that crucial moment? Had he experienced a sudden change of heart? Or was he, in fact, Alyssa's brother, Damien?Jasper's mind filled with all kinds of thoughts. Before he could dwell too deeply, there was a knock at the door. Xavier hurried over to open it, freezing in shock when he saw who stood outside. "Mr. Winston?"Winston was leaning on Silas for support, his expression grim. "Mr. Beckett is in there, isn't he? May I have a word with him?" Xavier quickly stepped aside, gesturing for Winston and Silas to enter.When he saw the elder he respected standing at the door, Jasper struggled to rise from the bed despite his exhaustion. "Mr. Winston…" "You are wounded. Stay put!" Winston insisted, swiftly moving forward to gently press Jasper back down
"Next time? There won't be a next time."Tears flowed down Alyssa's face, soaking Jasper's shirt with each drop. Her voice was quiet but steady, carrying the weight of her heartache. "Jasper… I'm drained. Sometimes, I think it might be better if you just forgot about me. It would be easier than this. Every time I let myself hope, all I get in return is disappointment."Jasper's chest tightened as her calm words pierced through him. Waves of emotion surged inside him, and a lump rose painfully in his throat.…It was fortunate that Jasper had found Alyssa in time to administer first aid. After rushing her to the ER, she slipped into unconsciousness. That being said, she was extremely lucky to have escaped death. Nevertheless, she needed to remain in the ICU for further observation. Aside from treating her frostbite, the doctors needed to assess whether her internal organs or brain had been affected.With the severity of Alyssa's condition, Sean couldn't keep the truth from Winsto
"Jas…"Alyssa looked at Jasper with an unfocused gaze. Her breaths were shallow, and she was slipping in and out of consciousness. Mentally, she was confused. "Yes, it's me—Jasper!"Jasper's heart clenched as he saw the color drain from her face. Her body trembled uncontrollably, fragile as a leaf caught in the wind. She resembled the kitten he had saved as a child—frozen and alone in the alley that bitter winter night. A deep sorrow flooded his chest."Jas… per…" Alyssa murmured his name, her voice strained, her tongue numb from the cold.A faint, mocking smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "It seems… like I am about… to freeze to death… How could he be here… He will not come back… He doesn't want me anymore…" Alyssa's vision blurred as her eyelids grew heavy. She began to lean, her body sagging to one side."Alyssa! Stay awake!" Jasper's heart was pierced, the pain unbearable as he saw the denial in her eyes. He forced himself to pu
Elias frowned deeply; his worry etched onto his face. "We've been shouting Ms. Alyssa's name the whole way. With so many of us calling out, she should've heard us by now if she were nearby!"In a deep voice, Jasper said, "The wind is too strong, and then there's the heavy snowfall. Our voices are being drowned out. Lyse might not hear us at all."Lyse. Her nickname slipped from his lips before he even realized it."I'm just afraid she's injured—or worse, fainted. If she blacks out in this cold…" Elias trailed off, his voice heavy with dread. "On a day like this, she won't survive long. She'll freeze to death."The group exchanged uneasy glances, the reality of his words tightening their chests.It wasn't that Elias was being a doomsayer. Rather, this was the cruel reality that might actually happen. Crater Mountain claimed lives every year. Danger lurked unpredictably in the woods on the mountain—anything could unfold."Let's split up," Jasper commanded, his eyes fixed on t
The snow was falling heavily, and the chilling winds howled through the night.Remy had no car, so he trudged through the snow alone, each step more exhausting than the last.His thoughts were consumed with Alyssa—was she still alive? In danger? And Jasper's unrelenting resolve to reach her, even after being shot and drenched in blood.Remy pressed his calloused, trembling hand to his chest. His heart hammered in his ribcage erratically.A sharp, searing pain shot through his temples, blurring his vision. He collapsed to his knees in the snow, his body racked with agony. The pain surged deep within him, and his eyes felt like they were going to burst from their sockets. It was unbearable.His breath came in ragged gasps. His hands scrambled for the necklace hanging from his neck—inside it was a hidden medicine box.Justin had told him that the medication in there could calm him down and relieve him of any pain. It would be able to save his life. But in his desperate haste, the
As subtle as Remy's expressions were, Jasper still noticed them. A slight twinkle flashed across his eyes. He did not have the time to continue entertaining Remy. He clenched his teeth, turned around, and started running toward Crater Mountain. Nevertheless, he had barely taken a few steps when gunshots were fired at his feet. Even so, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead and did not stop. Just then, another gunshot rang out. It wasn't until a bullet hit him in his right shoulder that the pain caused him to stumble. He almost fell to the ground but forced himself to stay on his feet. It was fortunate that he was shot in his right shoulder this time. After all, his left shoulder could not be injured any further. Otherwise, his left shoulder would be left in complete disability."If you take another step, the next shot will be in your left leg," Remy warned mockingly. Yet, his gaze was firm and fiery. "Jasper, I don't suppose you want to end up like your older brother, living in
A chill went down Jasper's spine. At that moment, staring down the barrel of the gun, one thought consumed him. It was the only thought that mattered—he had to stay alive to meet Alyssa!Jasper's mind raced. His gun was hidden under the driver's seat of his usual car, but today, he had taken a different sports car—one that wasn't equipped with a weapon. Panic gripped him for a split second before his instincts kicked in.The soldier within him stirred. Without warning, he jerked the steering wheel, ramming his car into Remy's.One of Remy's headlights was taken out and left rolling across the snow. All of a sudden, this prideful man was overwhelmed with anger. His eyes reddened with a strong sense of competitiveness, compelling him to pull the trigger. A shot rang out. The bullet sliced through the cold air, shattering Jasper's car window.From the very beginning, Remy hadn't intended to take Jasper's life. All Justin told him to do was to stop Jasper from meeting with Alys
"Jasper, you are such a jerk. If anything bad happens to Ms. Alyssa, you will surely regret it. You will live in regret your entire life!" Sean yelled. …The temperature tonight was -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The snowstorm in the woods on the mountain was getting stronger and stronger. The winds were freezing and bone-piercing as they blew against Alyssa's face. Trees swayed dramatically in the screeching winds, creating an inexplicable creepy atmosphere that added a feeling of desolation to Alyssa's sorrowful and depressive mood. She braved the bone-piercing winds and faced the heavy snowfall. With the help of her trekking pole, she plodded forward one step at a time. She did not have a destination in mind. She did not know where she was heading. Her heart had shattered, and she was beside herself. The decreasing temperatures discouraged her and made her lose all her motivation. For someone who had lost their willpower, being in the woods under extreme weather conditions wa
"Mr. Jasper, why do you say so?" Sheryl lifted her head and looked into Jasper's reddened eyes. She furrowed her brows and laughed out loud. "White Dove is from Solana City. This is also something that I wasn't able to predict. If I had known, I wouldn't have gotten you to make a trip here in vain, would I?" Sheryl was no longer that conniving bitch who used to act coy. Now, she had a powerful person backing her up. Jasper's violent rage did not scare her at all. "Why the hell didn't you say anything earlier?" Xavier marched forward furiously. He was even more inclined to serve her a slap. "Did you know that Mr. Beckett had an important date with Madam today? He only rushed her because of your stupid lead! Right now, you're telling us that White Dove isn't in Skydon but Solana City? What the heck are you scheming? Were you trying to ruin Mr. Beckett and Madam's date intentionally?" "Madam? Haven't Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa broken up? Is it right for you to be referring to her