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
Lyla was grateful for her life, even though she thought that she didn't deserve her luxurious life at times.The arrival of the Taylors marked another climax of the event. Jasper's walk toward Alyssa became the media's focus once again as the shutters clicked in a frenzy.Winston, shooting daggers at his troublesome ex-son-in-law, fumed and resisted the urge to punch him in the face.Jasper gazed into Alyssa's eyes with sincerity, his heart racing. "Mr. Taylor, may I have your permission to make my entrance with your daughter? I would love Alyssa to be my plus-one."Hearing that, Alyssa bashfully pressed her lips. It was rare to see her flustered."Mr. Beckett, I believe there are many who wished to be your plus-one. Why does it have to be our Lyse?" Winston cast a piercing gaze on Jasper without any attempt to play nice."Yes. It has to be Lyse," Jasper confessed. Taking a deep breath, he reached out a hand to Alyssa. "I only want her by my side. I'll always keep a place for h
"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
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa