It turned out that Mandy, Lyla, and Colene had gone to church. After church, they went on a shopping spree. They also visited a trending café before returning to Heightsnew Villa, feeling satisfied. In the eyes of the world, they were in awkward positions. People expected them to scheme against one another and to have a cut-throat relationship behind closed doors. However, the trio were close, like three peas in a pod. At times, even Alyssa felt deep jealousy when she witnessed their sisterhood. Winston must have saved the universe in his past life for him to have Mandy's, Lyla's, and Colene's loyalty toward him in this life. "Woah! Why didn't any of you bring me along? I'm sad now …" Alyssa teased. She was sitting on the swing in the garden. Like a young and energetic youth, she swung back and forth with the tip of her toes sweeping on the ground. "Oh, dearest Alyssa, it's not that we didn't want to bring you along!" Colene approached her from behind and put her arms a
After a while, Mandy, Lyla, and Colene nodded. "That explains it. It is already quite fortunate that Winston didn't storm into the Beckett family or skin Jasper alive." Before they could probe Alyssa further, Clark hurried over and informed them, "Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Winston is back. He asked for you to go to his study." "Got it." Alyssa took a deep breath and prepared to leave. Behind her, Mandy, Lyla, and Colene were worried that Winston would be difficult. So, the three of them also expressed their wish to follow along. …In the study, Winston was drinking tea while sitting on the sofa. His expression was glum. Whenever he met with Alyssa in the past, they were always joking around merrily with one another. The air around them was always lively and warm. It was extremely rare for them to have so much tension. "I wanted to speak with Lyse in private. What are all of you tagging along for?" Winston gave a displeased, side-eyed glance at his wives. He forcefully set hi
Later on, Alyssa learned that her troublesome classmate had dropped out of school just three days after the incident.The family's business faced bankruptcy, and her father was incarcerated. Upon realizing the wrongs she had committed against Alyssa, her mother lived in perpetual anxiety.In the end, she succumbed to a bout of serious illness. As such, it was a miracle that Winston hadn't done anything to Jasper yet. It was Alyssa who was the creator of this miracle. If it weren't for her telling him over and over not to touch Jasper, he might have already sent someone to assassinate him!He probably wouldn't need to get the job done personally. Jonah and Axel would most likely have already gotten rid of Jasper. "Dad, at the end of the day, I am also hugely responsible for the failure of the marriage." Alyssa didn't address him by his name again. She had a serious look on her face, making it obvious that she was very persistent and earnest about this relationship. "Back
Alyssa picked the medicine bottle up and took a closer look. The next moment, she covered her mouth in utter shock. She was on the verge of tears."Cerebral ischemic stroke. This medication is to treat cerebral ischemic stroke. Lovelace Pharmaceuticals developed this and only produced a limited amount yearly. Even people loaded with money can't buy it."Mandy looked at Winston painfully. Her heartache was hard to conceal. "However, this year, the medication couldn't stabilize his condition anymore. When your father fell sick twice at the beginning of last year, he pulled through with this medication.""D-Did all of you know about this? Am I the only one who is clueless?" Tears streamed down Alyssa's face. Her heart was shattered."No. Jonah and Silas don't know either. Your father didn't want to tell all of you. He was afraid you would panic and worry.Mandy squatted down. She took a square silk handkerchief and dabbed the sweat from Winston's forehead. "Lyse, don't be angry at yo
Alyssa's eyelashes cast a shadow under the light as she lowered her head.Back then, she thought Jameson was genuinely concerned for her father. Now, she felt he had ulterior motives.He was willing to murder her sister and brother-in-law. Her father was nothing, but another body count to him.Jameson was a vicious man all along.He desired her so badly. However, he was unwilling to mess with her before getting her and fulfilling his desire."My dad is fine. He is as vigorous as a tiger."A cold smile hung on Alyssa's face. "He doesn't say no to food, though. His stomach isn't the strongest and often gives him problems. He probably had a craving, ate something he shouldn't, and had a stomachache. You don't need to worry about it. Go home.""Really? But I saw how terrible Uncle Winston looked. His head was hurting badly. It looked serious. It seemed like a cerebral ischemic stroke or something like that …""Jameson, are you cursing my father?" Alyssa interrupted lowly. A sharp
Tears welled up in Jameson's eyes. He bit his lip until it turned white. He played a man who felt wronged and pitiful from being misunderstood by the love of his life so well. He was so immersed in playing this character that he had forgotten—he was the man who brought Alyssa these deadly troubles.Alyssa stared at him. Inexplicable emotions swirled in her lifeless eyes."What happened? Can you tell me, Lyse? What did I do to have caused such a misunderstanding? Even if I were to die, I need to die with proper closure!" Jameson kept asking questions. His forehead was dripping with cold sweat.The elegant and dignified Jameson Schmidt had never been so disheveled.Alyssa knew she wouldn't be able to get anything out of him all along. Her statements were a calculated warning to Jameson, intending to apply pressure. She aimed to induce panic, hoping he might inadvertently reveal something. She also wanted to use this cruel way to tell him to stop having fantasies of her. They woul
Alyssa had her back facing Jameson. She didn't say a single word.She had trouble untangling her messy thoughts. As she was about to enter the house, the door opened."Mandy?" Alyssa was shocked to see Mandy come out.Mandy smiled at her. Her face turned glum when she looked at Jameson. "Mr. Jameson, my husband wants to see you. Please.""What did you say? Dad wants to see him?"Alyssa's eyes widened. She tried her best to calm herself down. "He is sick. What is he trying to do?"Helplessness swirled in Mandy's eyes. "Your dad asked for this, so I am merely relaying the message.""Thank you for inviting me in personally, Mrs. Taylor."Jameson subtly adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and a dark glint flickered in his eyes. An unconscious smile graced his lips. …After Jameson entered Heightsnew Villa, Mandy escorted him to the study to meet Winston.The Taylors usually entertained guests in the guest room or parlor. After all, to a man, the study was as sacred and private as
"You're awake, Lyse." Jasper's voice was gentle and coy. She could practically get pregnant with that voice in her ear.Yet, she felt oddly secure."I'm not tired." Alyssa got up and went to the balcony. She looked up at the moon in the warm evening breeze."Are you finding it hard to sleep after leaving me? No one is there to cuddle with you." Jasper chuckled."Pfft, of course not! A man does not consume my everything." Alyssa's face was burning up, but she was stubborn with her words."But Lyse, you are my everything."Her heart beat wildly at Jasper's sudden declaration of affection. She felt her body was burning up and was about to reach boiling point.She missed him so much.She had been fine without the call. Now that she had heard his voice, she longed for him endlessly."What did you do today?" She switched the topic."Apart from breathing, every second was dedicated to thinking about you.""Jasper, it's fine to sweet talk. But too much of it is like having too much
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