Betty sniffled, a cold glint passing through her eyes. "Didn't you order him to do those things? What does it have to do with me? Don't involve me in this!""You brat! Now that things have come to this, you want to wash your hands of it? I'm in trouble, but you only think about hiding instead of helping? Don't think you can live a good life if something happens to me!"Sophia's fierce gaze made Betty shiver.They weren't mother and daughter. They were clearly partners in crime."What do we do now? What's your plan?" Betty asked while clenching her teeth.Suddenly, Sophia's expression turned cold, and her complexion became terrifyingly sinister."I'm going to kill Jeffrey.""K-Kill Jeffrey? But he's under police control now. How are we going to do it?"Betty was already well-trained by Sophia. She no longer turned pale at the mention of the word "kill". Instead, she first thought about how to do it."In prison, plenty of people are willing to take money to get rid of someone. I
"Since you got into trouble, I've been helping you and caring for you. What has Lauren done for you besides living with Landon and spending time with him every day?"They say after you get married, you forget your mother, but Lauren is better. She hasn't even married into the Harper family yet, and she has completely forgotten about you, the one who raised her."Sophia stood there like she'd been struck by lightning, unable to speak for a while.Leaving aside whether Lauren marrying Landon was genuinely beneficial for her, she couldn't even step out the door now. She was on the brink of a personal crisis. How could she still have the energy to care about Lauren's marriage?Though Lauren was her biological daughter, she was ultimately a person on her own.Only by becoming strong and living well could Sophia take care of herself. That was the most crucial thing now."Fine ... I agree."With a pair of dark eye circles, Sophia ground her teeth together audibly. "As long as you help
Though Betty had called Lauren an idiot throughout her life, the latter wasn't stupid.Upon hearing the words "living together", she slightly shivered. The lingering sweetness of orange juice suddenly became bitter.Landon secretly squeezed her slightly cool hand, holding it tightly. "Dad, I admit I used to have a less-than-exemplary private life. But won't you give me a chance to turn over a new leaf and start anew?"Besides, I might have been a playboy, but I've never brought any woman to my home before. Lauren is the first and the last.""Landon, what I mean is—""To be honest, I can't live without Lauren now."Landon's chest was filled with a strong sense of love. He imprinted a passionate kiss on the back of Lauren's hand, and his eyes were filled with affection. "If I don't see her for a day, I'm afraid I'll go crazy."His low and gentle voice flowed into Lauren's ear like a gentle stream. She felt her heart was being teased by a soft feather, tingling and ticklish.She f
When Landon touched Lauren's slender back, he realized sweat had soaked through her clothes. His eyes contracted, and his heart seemed to sink, making it difficult to breathe.He had forced her too much. He shouldn't have let her dwell on the painful past, always thinking about revenge.Landon didn't want to let her beloved Lauren do anything. He decided to handle everything."Is ... your sister bullying you?" Javier suddenly asked. His question pierced Lauren's trembling heart like a sharp arrow.She lowered her head and ruffled the folds of her skirt in silence."Is it true? Has Betty been bullying you all along? Tell me. I'll stand up for you.""Dad, you know Lauren's situation. She's not like Ms. Betty, who can sweet-talk and please you. Sometimes, Lauren is too kind and doesn't want to make things awkward with her family."So, she can only live cautiously, silently enduring all the humiliation."Landon couldn't bear to watch any longer. With a cool gaze, he said, "It has b
Just then, someone knocked at the door. Betty's sickly, sweet voice floated through. "Are you in there, Dad?""Come in."Betty opened the door and walked in with a plate of snacks. She was smiling widely."I'm sorry for causing you trouble today. I specially prepared some of your favorite fruits and treats to seek your forgiveness. Please don't be angry at me anymore, okay?"Betty set the plate on the table. She then went over to Javier, intending to act spoiled like she used to whenever Javier got angry at her for causing trouble.But this time, Javier stopped her with a raised hand. "I hope this is the last time you ever misbehave in a manner unbefitting someone of your status. You're Ms. Betty Beckett, not some rich, disrespectful warlord. You have to behave in a classy manner. Otherwise, how would you be any different from a mad woman?" Javier chastised.Betty's arms were left hanging awkwardly in mid-air. Her smile was dry and pitiful. "Yes, Dad. I won't misbehave again."
Jeffrey was tossing and turning restlessly in East Solana Federal Prison. It was now midnight, and it had been days since Alyssa and Jasper paid him a visit. However, he had spent every night unable to fall asleep, continually thinking back to all that Alyssa had said to him.Her offer to him had been too tantalizing. It made him waver, even though it was likely a trick.But Jeffrey despised Alyssa and Jasper too much. He hated what a perfect match they were, how powerful and rich they were. One was a wealthy business magnate in Solana City, the other a multifaceted heiress.Just the thought of them angered Jeffrey to no end. Plus, it was still their fault that he was in jail right now.With nowhere to vent his anger, Jeffrey could only hope Sophia continued giving them the hell out in the world. If she could, he wanted both Alyssa and Jasper to die!Jeffrey's days in prison weren't the most comfortable, but he was still relatively safe.In recent days, however, he felt like he w
"You … " Alyssa could sense the desire in Jasper's tone. Her heart skipped a beat as she blushed."Ahem … Congratulations on your recovery, Mr. Beckett. I'll be leaving first. You two can rest here in my office in the meantime. Goodbye!" Abel said.Abel had three kids of his own. He knew what the youth these days had on their minds. He'd truly be dumb if he didn't leave Alyssa and Jasper alone now."Don't, Dr. Liverton. I-I still have something I want to ask you about. I'll come with you!" Alyssa quickly tried to run away from Jasper, face still flushed. The moment she did, however, Jasper's hands clasped her tightly against his waist, making her unable to pull away."Oh, no. You're Dr. White, after all. I'm the one who has a lot to learn from you. Please don't put this stress on me!" Abel said as he inched out the door. He was right about to close it."Wait for me! We can learn from one another!" Alyssa cried, shoving Jasper away with a firm push like a prey running away from i
Before Jasper finished speaking, Alyssa wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.Jasper felt like he was on cloud nine. He was able to hold his desire back at first, but as Alyssa deepened their kiss, his mind went blank. He pressed her into the bed, tearing away her black dress.Alyssa had taken the initiative, but in the end, she surrendered to Jasper's fervent desire.She felt like she was alight in flame, burning every inch of her being.Her waist was so sore, yet her heart felt warm and sweet.Alyssa and Jasper made love until the wee hours of the morning before falling asleep together. They slept in until the sun was in the middle of the sky.Jasper was the first to awaken. When he saw that Alyssa was still asleep on his arm, he didn't dare move his arm, which was now filled with pines and needles. He just lay there and watched his beloved sleep.When Jasper read stories back then, he never understood why kings could abandon their kingdoms all to spend
When Axel heard the news, he immediately returned to the city where his organization was based. Without even reporting back to work, he booked the earliest red-eye flight to Cyrris. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, and when he emerged from the arrival gates, an ominous air surrounded him. A black luxury car awaited him at the exit.Standing in front of the car were Jasper and Xavier, who had been waiting anxiously for his arrival.Axel's gaze locked onto Jasper's fiery eyes. His presence radiated fury, unrestraint, and a barely contained viciousness. A strong gust of wind swept through the terminal. Snow danced in the air, tangling both Jasper's and Axel's hair into disarray."Let's talk in the car, Axel," Jasper said in a low, measured voice.Red-eyed, Axel insisted, "I need to find my wife right now." "That's exactly why I'm here. Get in the car, and we'll talk." Jasper turned on his heel. His tone grew colder. "But let's be honest—you won't find her no matter ho
Jasper wanted to console Alyssa but found himself at a loss for words. So, he remained silent. "Disappointed, aren't you?" Alyssa sniffled as she smiled bitterly."Not at all." Perhaps he had been expecting too much. As a woman, she was intelligent, capable, and a strategist for victory. Beyond that, she boldly stepped forward to fight against the dark forces. She was strong and perfect as she was—why should he expect her to be anything more?Yet, seeing Alyssa's vulnerable side unsettled him. Something tugged at his heartstrings, a deep ache he couldn't ignore."I found it! I found Ms. Altman's cell phone!" With more manpower and better visibility as the sun rose, it didn't take long to locate Amber's bloodied phone. "Ambs…"Alyssa's face drained of color as terror gripped her at the sight of the bloodstained device. Jasper, on the other hand, remained composed. He tried powering on the phone, and to their surprise, it turned on. "What's the password?" Jasper asked g
"Five times more potent than the previous version? Are you sure it's safe for Remy to consume this?" Sheryl picked up the pill, unease flickering across her face. As much as she despised Remy, she couldn't deny his prowess as a fighter and his value as Justin's right-hand man. Having him around would certainly ease Justin's workload, prompting her to double-check."It won't kill him, but it won't be pleasant either. Don't worry—it's temporary," Justin replied, a sinister smile curling his lips. He continued nonchalantly, "When he takes the pill, his adrenaline will spike, flooding him with energy while his muscles tense. He'll feel both pain and euphoria. Then, it will fade, leaving him dependent on the drug moving forward." The implication was clear to Sheryl. Justin intended to control Remy through addiction. "Remy wasn't born for the shadows," Justin continued, his gaze darkened. "He's just a victim of post-traumatic amnesia, his nervous system subdued with sedatives and anes
"Got it, Mr. Harper!" Harper Group's subordinates acknowledged before swiftly dispersing. "I'm going to search for Amber too," Alyssa said, turning to leave.Jasper caught her arm. "It's freezing. Go wait in the car." Landon chimed in, "Lyse, listen to Jasper. Just wait in the car. We'll search for Amber.""No—I have to come too!" Alyssa sniffled. The sharp wind stung her face, leaving her nose raw and crimson, her eyes watering until they puffed into tender, swollen crescents. "Amber's in trouble because of me. I was careless—it's all my fault!""Lyse…" Landon's heart sank at her remorseful expression.Jasper's gaze softened as he studied Alyssa's pale face. "Her disappearance isn't your fault."Tears welled in Alyssa's eyes as she shook her head. "Amber means everything to Axel. If anything happens to her, I won't be able to face him. I don't deserve to be his sister. Please, let me come with you."Jasper and Landon failed to dissuade her. Reluctantly, they agreed. Alyssa
After studying Sheryl for a moment, Remy turned and left."M-Ms. Gillis, are you okay?" One of Sheryl's subordinates came forward to help her up."Useless bastard! Why didn't you step in when he hit me earlier?" Sheryl's voice trembled with fury as her gaze fell on the crimson stains marring the pristine snow.Stammering, the subordinate replied, "R-Remy acted too quickly. Everyone in the organization knows how good of a fighter he is. None of us stood a chance against him!""S-Something wasn't right about him tonight." Sheryl watched Remy's retreating figure disappear into the distance, her voice dropping to a menacing murmur. "I need to report this to Mr. Justin in person immediately."Inside his car, Remy gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands but made no move to drive.Closing his eyes, he felt a suffocating sensation rise in his throat, as though he were drowning in an endless, hopeless sea. He was just a speck, sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss.A shar
With a piercing gaze, Sheryl glared at Remy, who stood in front of her car with an air of frigidity around him. The temptation to ram her car into the crestfallen man was almost irresistible, but she didn't dare. Remy was Justin's right-hand man, and even her audacity had limits. Instead, Sheryl pulled her white coat snugly around her, stepped out of the car with feigned composure, and strode toward him. Hostility crackled between them as their eyes locked.Sheryl broke the silence. "Remy, is there nothing you'd like to update me about?" she asked with a sinister look in her eyes. Stiffly, Remy asked, "Where did you take that woman?" "How shameless of you to question me. Mr. Justin was wise to send me as backup. Otherwise, Amber would have escaped without a trace!"Gritting her teeth, Sheryl took a step closer to Remy. "Is this how you handle tasks entrusted by Mr. Justin? The unstoppable Remy, brought to his knees by a wild brat? Or did you let her go intentionally? Are yo
"Jameson and Carl have been eliminated. Who else could be targeting Amber?"A sharp glint flashed in Jasper's eyes as a thought struck him. "Could it be Justin or Sheryl?" he asked, his voice low and tense.He recalled seeing Justin in the living room earlier that evening, wide awake instead of resting. Was Justin waiting for something? Or perhaps, provoking him in subtle defiance?"They are the only ones I can think of with a grudge against Amber." Alyssa's anxiousness made her voice tremble. "Having worked for Jameson for years, Amber must have visited Mosgravia multiple times to meet with Sir—who is, in fact, Justin. "Justin wouldn't have met anyone else besides Jameson. But how could he leave no trace after all those interactions? Amber must have figured out his true identity. And Justin—he must have realized who she is, even with her changed appearance."Jasper's expression darkened. "So he decided to eliminate her as a precaution."Tears welled in Alyssa's eyes, threaten
Searching for Amber without direction would be pointless. Jasper made a swift decision to bring Alyssa back to the manor, shielding her from the relentless chill of the wind. Once inside, he immediately began organizing the search. He deployed his men and contacted Landon, requesting additional support.The two of them sat together on the couch.This time, there was no space between them. It was as though an invisible force drew them closer, their proximity feeling natural yet electric. Neither could say who had moved first.Alyssa, however, was in no mood to dwell on their closeness. Wrapped in her down jacket, she curled up on the couch, her arms hugging herself tightly. A quiet frostiness emanated from her as she sat in silence, listening to Jasper's calm and methodical calls to mobilize his team.In the past, his composed presence would have been enough to ease her mind. But now, her thoughts were a tangled mess, each one like a razor claw tearing at her heart. The pain was u
"Ms. Gillis, I've searched her thoroughly. She doesn't have anything on her." Sheryl's brows knitted in frustration. "How can that be? Where's her cell phone?" "There wasn't one." Sheryl, no longer concerned about dirtying herself, stepped forward, grabbed Amber by her hair, and forced her to meet her gaze."You bitch," Sheryl snarled. "You came to The Millennium at this hour for a reason. What did you find? Hand it over, and I might spare your worthless life!"Amber spat a mouthful of bloody saliva directly onto Sheryl's face."Fuck! You bitch!" Glaring at Amber, Sheryl rolled her sleeves up and slapped her twice in the face. Even so, it wasn't enough to quench her fury. She yelled, "Take her back!" Two of Sheryl's subordinates moved forward, dragging a limp Amber away. Sheryl's reddened eyes burned with fury as she wiped the spit off her face. She was teetering on the edge of madness."Search the area! Retrace her steps and leave no stone unturned!"…Jasper drove to