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
It was a good thing that Silas was not around, or else the trio would have made such a scene.Axel taunted bitterly, "No, of course not. I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of Mr. Beckett, as he's the family favorite now."Jonah said, "That's enough, Axel."Alyssa sighed helplessly. "Axel, I can already picture how you will treat your future wife. Are you going to nag her for a full day if she takes as much as a look at other men?""Not only that, I'll punish her in bed to the point that she won't be able to get out of bed for three days."Everyone was rendered speechless by Axel's bold answer.Jasper smiled, cheered up by the interaction among the siblings. He would be jealous of Alyssa's exchange with her brothers in the past, but he had since learned to be comfortable with the Taylor siblings' ways of expressing their love for Alyssa.All he needed to do was to be understanding and get along with it. People always said that those who were deep in love would lose their se
"Lyse, you shouldn't worry too much. The trip from Tsulu to Solana City is only five hours, and the private jet comes with first-aid equipment. It will be fine."Julien proudly lifted his chin. "That's right! What's there to worry about with a famous doctor like me on board?"Landon teased, "You will never beat Lyse in terms of fame."Frowning, Julien wondered, "What's that supposed to mean?""She's Dr. White. Did you not know?"Following the revelation, Julien stared agape at Alyssa, who seemed unfazed. He turned to the others and realized they did not react to the news at all.Was he the only one oblivious to Alyssa's identity? Had he been showing off in front of the true master without knowing it?Freezing up, he stiffly turned his back to the others and held the wall, his head hung low. Landon scratched his head, puzzled. "What's wrong with him?"Axel crossed his arms on his chest, replying, "No idea. I guess he's in despair because Lyse is too great of a doctor."…The n
Jasper's heart sank. After multiple exchanges with Jameson, he gained a better understanding of Jameson's character than Alyssa.Unlike Alyssa, he had no lingering sentiment for Jameson from childhood. He knew Jameson was a vindictive man and a ruthless one at that. In other words, Jameson was petty and extreme in his revenge."A relationship devoid of integrity is inherently meaningless," Jonah expressed, showing his concern for Alyssa. "The idea of you with Jameson filled me with worry because he has no principles and would do anything to get his way. "Who knows if he'd do the same to you? Lyse, you're my beloved sister. I cannot risk letting you date a problematic man."Alyssa teared up at Jonah's genuine brotherly love for her. "Jonah …"He gently stroked her hair and turned to address Jasper, "Mr. Beckett, why didn't you tell me it was Jameson Schmidt's doing when we were on Shelland Island? If you had done so, we could have found a way to exploit his weakness."With a long
Alyssa followed Jasper into the study. The door closed behind her with a soft click. She didn't move to switch on the lights or sit down. Instead, she stood quietly in the dim room.They faced each other, eyes locked. In the darkness, their gazes seemed brighter, charged with emotions that neither could put into words. Whatever stirred within them was tangled and silent—kept at bay by something unspoken, as if a wall had formed between heart and mouth. After a pause, Alyssa offered a faint smile. Her voice was soft, almost courteous. "Go ahead, Mr. Beckett. I won't be staying long tonight—I've made other arrangements."It was clear she didn't want to be alone in a room with him.Jasper's chest tightened, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion he couldn't define. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "You didn't vote against the motion at today's board meeting. I wanted to know… are we still on the same side?"Alyssa's gaze lowered, her voice steady and calm. "You didn't object
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"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