Alyssa casually took a sip of water and suggested, "Why don't you attend the horse racing event with Lyla?"Caught by surprise, Winston had not anticipated the request from his daughter. Lyla immediately explained as she blushed in nervousness, "L-Lyse, I turn down these social events because they give me the jitters. I'm not good at small talk and might make blunders. It might be better if Mandy attends. Colene could be an excellent choice as well."Alyssa poked through the lie, "But you seemed quite happy when you attended mass. It was crowded there, too.""I …" Lyla pressed her lips until they paled."Winston, bring Lyla with you. I can't possibly attend the race with you every single year. The media will make an issue out of it again," Mandy advised after seemingly catching onto Alyssa's plan.Winston furrowed his brows and looked at Lyla deeply. He inquired in a hushed voice, "Lyla, are you upset?"Lyla shook her head vehemently.He gently took her trembling hands under the
On the other hand, Jasper suppressed news of Jeffrey Snyder receiving medical treatment, and the prisoner who had attacked Jeffrey was under arrest as well.Not long after, Xavier received a call from the warden, who exclaimed, "Mr. Beckett's foresight is amazing! I've had people secretly poke around about Jeffrey Snyder these two days. I did what Mr. Beckett instructed and released the news of Jeffrey Snyder's death from the prisoner attack.""That's great. Thank you for your help. Mr. Beckett will reward you handsomely for it," Xavier replied, after which he relayed the updates to Jasper.Sitting in his office, Jasper was lost in thoughts while he stared at his lock screen background, which he had set to a photo of a bare-faced Alyssa sunbathing on the balcony when they were living together.He couldn't help but smile tenderly as he traced her profile."Wow! Madam is so pretty. No one would be able to resist her charm!" Xavier craned his neck and admired Alyssa's photo with exci
Sophia stroked Betty's hand, praising her, "You're the best. You did well in this matter. I will have to thank you."Betty's voice turned icy. She wondered, "Mom, do you remember your promise to me?"After a pause, Sophia groped her way to the drawer by the headboard in the dark and took out a leather envelope, which she tossed to Betty.Betty immediately picked up and held the envelope to her chest, asking, "Mom, what's this?""Take a look after this.""I can't wait any longer!" Betty shot up and left the room without another word.Sophia suddenly stopped her. "Wait.""Anything else?"Sophia shot her a disdainful and confused look. "I do not understand why you're hell-bent on ruining your sister's marriage. Is it to get back at Landon because he's not into you? Even if you ruined their relationship, he will not take an interest in you. Don't ever dream of marrying him.""Yeah, you hit the nail on the head. All I wanted was revenge." Betty clutched the envelope tightly as a sc
Finally, it was the day of the annual horse racing event. Every year, the members of esteemed families from across the nation would congregate at the event, which would be live-streamed on national TV stations. Even foreign royalty would be in attendance, further adding to the merriment.Each year, a selected distinguished family would host the event, and it was the Schmidt family's turn this year.The venue was set to be Eastbrooke Racecourse, built just half a year ago. Victor couldn't contain his excitement at the prospect of the racecourse holding its inaugural large-scale event even before its public opening—a good omen and brilliant marketing for the racecourse.On the other hand, Newton Beckett had skipped events like these due to his old age. Javier was attending with Sophia this year. Meanwhile, Jasper would arrive at the event separately.When it was time to leave, Betty hurriedly strutted out in her high heels while clad in a sexy bodycon pink dress. Her inappropriate an
"They're nothing without their families. They cannot hold a candle to Alyssa Taylor at all!"One married lady suddenly interjected sarcastically, "What's the point of having multiple careers? At the end of the day, Alyssa Taylor is nothing more than a divorcee who's dumped by Jasper Beckett."Two young ladies, who had been chatting with each other, rolled their eyes at the married woman. "Ms. Alyssa is the only daughter of Winston Taylor with his first wife. She's the real princess of the Taylor family. I guess you're just envious of her.""What type of outdated mentality was that? A divorced woman is not worthless. I'd even say that marriage is just a burden for rich and powerful women.""Absolutely! By the way, didn't you watch the interview last time? Jasper Beckett admitted that he had cheated on Alyssa Taylor. So, why would she keep a cheater around? She must have dumped him over the affair."Upset, the married woman held her tongue and seethed in silence without another word
"And who might that someone be?" Cornelius asked, his brows furrowing with discontent."Who else can she be? It's Sophia Kirkman's second daughter, Lauren Beckett," Zoe grabbed the chance to tell on Landon.She casually teased, "Landon hasn't been home lately. He's built a love nest with Ms. Lauren out there, where they spend most of their time. The last time Mom was sick, I was the one who got her to the hospital. I guess Landon's put his family behind even before marrying Ms. Lauren.""Zoe, can you please stop?" Penelope mumbled, not because she wanted to protect Lauren. She worried that Cornelius might be upset at Landon.Preston grinned, remarking, "Ms. Lauren must be a stunning beauty. Knowing Landon, he's never been so serious with any woman. From the sounds of it, Ms. Lauren has won his heart.""My grandson falling for Sophia Kirkman's daughter? Ridiculous!" Nostrils blaring, Cornelius tapped his walking stick on the ground. "Why are they living together before marriage? Is
As calculative as ever, Zoe would never give up any opportunity to be seen with Jasper. If she made her entrance with Jasper, she would cause a commotion and be the object of envy.More than everything, she would be mistaken as Jasper's plus-one. Jasper had never graced any social events with a plus-one, even in the three years he was married to Alyssa.If Zoe could take advantage of this opportunity and make herself appear as his plus-one, she could prove her special place to the media. After all, actions mattered more than words.The misunderstanding would eventually turn Jasper and Alyssa against each other, thus creating an opportunity for Zoe to work her way into the relationship.While strategizing in her head, she noticed Jasper approaching her. Heart racing, she blushed and purred, "Jasper …"To her dismay, Jasper treated her with his usual indifference. His expression hardened as he stared through her as if she was invisible.Gritting her teeth, she held the hem of her d
Jasper, who had given Zoe icy stares just moments ago, immediately warmed up at the sight of Alyssa.Zoe had known Jasper for years. He treated her kindly when they were younger but always devoid of passion. His reaction to Alyssa proved that Alyssa was special to him.Green with envy, Zoe watched as Jasper approached the lady of his dreams and the love of his life.Naturally, Alyssa noticed Jasper walking toward her. His towering height made him hard to overlook, drawing attention along the way.Jonah whispered into her ear, "Lyse, he's coming." Usually stern, he seemed to be teasing her at that moment."Why pay him any attention? Just pretend he's not there." Alyssa pouted, though her heart raced."I've made him promise not to interact with me at the event, as I don't want trouble. Why isn't he listening? "He promised to listen to me, but he's not keeping his word. Filthy liar!" she cursed. Filthy liar? Jonah had to stifle a laugh. It appeared the couple preferred expressing
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