"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
Alyssa, clinging to Jasper's arm, grumbled slightly, "You've got some nerve.""I'll need to put in the effort to win my woman," Jasper rasped, casting a loving look at her.She warned, "There are three things Winston hates the most in his life—taking away his wife, taking away his daughter, and taking his wife and daughter away from him."He stared at her, dumbfounded."You'd better look out. He's more vindictive than me. He won't go easy on you after what happened today," Alyssa muttered.Suddenly, she questioned, "Are you ready, by the way?""Of course. I will always carry out your orders to the best of my abilities," he replied softly, causing her to blush.Before she could speak, she noticed Zoe glowering at her from a few steps away. The sight of Zoe unsettled her. Although she had accepted Jasper and put the past behind her, Jasper and Zoe's past scandal remained a thorn in her flesh."Jasper, I've been waiting for you," Zoe cooed with a bright smile."And I've never ask
Truth be told, Alyssa didn't believe in a word that came out of Zoe's mouth, but she held a grudge somehow."I know. I get it. You're still upset at me for that hotel incident," Jasper coaxed her.It pained him tremendously to learn that Alyssa was hurt by the hotel scandal in which he was framed. "It's my fault for being dumb. I should have been more careful, but I got set up."Anyway, I'm to blame, so punch me if it makes you feel better. Do anything you want to me, but please don't ignore me."Jasper had acted so humbly to cheer up Alyssa, something he'd never do for anyone else."I know you're smart," she remarked with a sigh and turned around in his arms to look at him. "Even if you were cheating, you wouldn't have left behind all the clues and attracted a swarm of reporters to take photos of the evidence."He smiled wryly at her remark. "Lyse, stop teasing me.""Remember when you said you panicked because of me?""Somebody sent me photos of a woman who looked exactly like
At that moment, Sophia received another push notification from Twitter—Jasper and Alyssa had topped the trending topics. The discussion showed no signs of cooling down anytime soon.Every time Jasper and Alyssa showed up, they would effortlessly capture all media attention and be the talk of the town. The duo's synergy could potentially make them a formidable force if they decided to join forces in business.Javier did not look at all pleased by the attention. Sophia, staring at the trending topics on Twitter, taunted, "How lucky is Winston Taylor to have a daughter like Alyssa? Anywhere she goes, she becomes the center of attention. Everyone else fades into the background."Jasper did not even bother to cover up his relationship with her. Javier, let's take the chance to propose a marriage to Winston. Alyssa made us look like bad guys when she concealed her identity to marry Jasper. Since we owe Winston one, why don't we make it up to him?"Just then, the Harpers settled into thei
"Jimmy, I heard that Uncle Winston and his family have arrived. Go welcome them. We're the hosts—we can't neglect our friends," Victor deliberately urged Jameson to leave, raising his voice for the Becketts and the Harpers to hear.Through his gesture, he indirectly hinted that, unlike the Taylors, the other two families weren't worthy of the Schmidts' respect.Javier and Cornelius' expression crumbled at Victor's dismissive move. The air was tense with awkwardness."Will do, Dad." Jameson left the seating area while adjusting his glasses. His expression darkened—he just learned that Alyssa and Jameson had made their grand entrance, even embarrassing Zoe while they were at it.Concerned that the two might publicly announce their relationship, he was determined to prevent any complications, especially at such a significant event.Once in a quiet corner of the corridor, Jameson stood in the shadows and dialed Carl's number.Carl answered promptly, "Mr. Schmidt, at your service.""
Jonah's gaze burned with a mix of longing, sorrow, and something deeply affectionate. The world swam back into focus as Julien looked at Jonah. Without preamble, he asked, "Are you new? How much do you charge per night?"Light-headed and grinning, Julien reached out a hand, his fingers brushing softly against Jonah's cheek. "You're pretty good-looking," he said, his voice slurred. Then his expression shifted. "Why do you… look so much like someone I hate with every fiber of my being?"Jonah's heart clenched. Even so, he slid his arms around Julien's waist. Trembling, he pulled Julien into his arms. "I'm new here. Could you help me meet my target tonight, Mr. Lovelace?"Julien's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Jonah. Jonah's eyes teared up as he held Julien's waist tightly. "I promise you won't be disappointed," he said, his voice deep. Watching from the shadows below the stage, Evan nearly gagged at Jonah's sultry tone. Was this really the Judas he knew? The man sounded downri
The bar was alive with striking lights and thundering music, and the air was thick with the scent of tobacco and alcohol. The atmosphere was one of moral decay—corrupt, degrading, and vile. "Where's Julien?" Jonah's voice cut through the noise, his tone icy and sharp. When Jonah stepped inside, the eyes of several men turned toward him, their gazes filled with illicit intent."Why, hello there. Are you here alone? Are you feeling lonely?" A sexy man sauntered over, draping himself over Jonah's shoulders. He let his hands linger with a playful squeeze. "If you're bored, I'd be happy to keep you company." Jonah's expression darkened. His hands trembled, veins bulging with barely contained rage. Suddenly, Evan burst through the crowd, his face twisting in alarm at the sight of Jonah surrounded by a swarm of predatory men. Evan yelled, "Don't touch him!" A heavy thump reverberated through the room. Gasps erupted as people scrambled back.The man who had draped himself over
Rafe stated, "But Beckett Group is in the middle of a storm right now. If I insisted on giving your corporation the project, my superiors would investigate me. I wouldn't be able to escape unscathed!""If you're investigated, I'll make sure you can still live a life of luxury—even if you lose your job." Justin's tone darkened. "But if you turn against me, you won't just suffer a few losses. You'll lose everything."Under the dim moonlight, Justin fiddled with his antique tea cup, his gaze narrowing. "You've worked so hard to get to where you are. Are you prepared to lose it all?"After ending the call, Justin turned to Remy, who stood quietly at the side. "Sheryl is still being detained. She can't be bailed out for another two days. I need someone to watch over the research lab. You'll handle that."Remy was taken aback. "I failed my last mission. Aren't you going to punish me?"Justin's smile was cold and insincere. "It wasn't your fault. You were ambushed. If not for that, I tru
Remy pursed his lips, bending down to pick up the fallen poker card. It was the King of Spades—an entry pass to Kings' Club. "My attacker was…" Remy's pupils constricted as he tightened his grip on the card. "It can only be that dear uncle of mine, always claiming to see me as his own son." Justin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "He's trying to get rid of my right-hand man, taking advantage of my internal feud with Jasper. Weakening me is just his first step toward gaining control over me."He's been a fugitive ever since his successful prison break, never returning to Cyrris after receiving his life sentence. His power base remains in Kontina. "I'm the last surviving Dutton. The Dutton Group, as a cover, has declared bankruptcy and severed all ties with the country. "My dear uncle has taken a huge risk just to target me. He sent his men to attack you in Solana City. What a delightful surprise. It seems he truly doesn't trust me, his only remaining family."Remy lowere
The hospital ward grew heavy with silence. Mandy and Neil stared at Alyssa, stunned beyond words. "M-Ms. Alyssa, you knew that man was Mr. Damien?" Neil asked, disbelief etched into his voice. "Yes." Alyssa's reply was quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "We found out when Cyrus took Damien's cigarette butt for a paternity test."Mandy approached Alyssa, her shoulders trembling slightly. "So, you and Cyrus knew… and you both kept it from me?" Mandy said, her voice catching in her throat, tears welling up. Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Mandy, I'm sorry. It was my decision. Cyrus had nothing to do with it."Mandy's tears fell freely now, her grief spilling out in raw sobs. "Do you know what it's been like for me all these years, thinking Damien was gone? Winston, Miley, Lyla, and Colene kept telling me to move on. I tried to accept that he was dead, that we'd never find his body. But I never did."Her vo
The hospital ward was bathed in a dim, yellow glow from the bedside lamp. The silence was thick, yet the room held a strange warmth—an unfamiliar comfort that felt oddly familiar to Remy.Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to sit up. His eyes fell on Mandy, who was asleep beside his bed. Her hair was a mess, and her swollen eyes suggested she'd been crying. She was sound asleep. Remy stiffened. His breath quickened as he stared at her fragile figure. Slowly, he leaned forward, his fingers lifting slightly, tempted to reach out.Just as his hand hovered close, Mandy's lashes fluttered. In her sleep, she murmured, "Damien… Damien… I miss you so much…" Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unbidden.A pang tugged at Remy's heart. Without thinking, he brushed away her tears with his calloused fingers. The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through him, sharp and electrifying. Pain throbbed at his temples, but beneath it was a warmth he didn't want to let g
Justin's casual question hit Javier like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through him, freezing his expression. His voice trembled with fear as he barked, "What nonsense is that? Are you accusing me of causing Chester's death? I'm your father—how could you think I'd do such a thing?""It's not an accusation. Just the facts," Justin replied coolly, crossing his legs and savoring his tea with unsettling calm. "And I'm not condemning you. In fact, I understand why you did it. I'm facing the same dilemma now."Javier's breathing grew ragged. He had watched Justin grow from a child into the man before him—now a predator, circling with quiet menace."You were meant to be the heir as the eldest son," Justin continued, his voice smooth as silk. "But Grandpa favored Uncle Chester, handing him major projects, grooming him in plain sight. "Uncle Chester's reputation soon eclipsed yours. He was a natural leader, adept at business, with one fatal flaw—he was kind. Too kind. Unlike you."Justin
Nonetheless, night had fallen by the time Justin arrived at Seaview Manor. On his way there, he worked on two things. First, he secured the top legal team to get Sheryl out on bail as quickly as possible. Second, he tried reaching Remy—unsuccessfully. He had never lost contact with Remy before. Justin's face was as dark as the night itself. The moment he stepped inside Seaview Manor, Rory approached with a solemn expression. He gave a slight bow before speaking. "Mr. Justin, what took you so long? Mr. Javier has been waiting.""I was occupied," Justin replied coolly. Then, as if it were an ordinary evening, he allowed a faint smile. "Where's Jasper? Is he back here yet?" A conflicted look came across Rory's face. "Things between you and Mr. Jasper have soured. I doubt he'll want to see you anytime soon—or show up here.""Is that so? How disappointing."Justin's smile didn't reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on Rory, sharp and bottomless. "So, he'd rather believe what he se
Jonah scoured every corner of the hotel, desperation clawing at his chest, but Julien was nowhere to be found. "Jonah!" Alyssa called out, breathless as she caught up to him. She grabbed his arm. "Calm down! I'll help you search for Jul!""I can't find him. He's gone," Jonah murmured, sinking to the floor. His tears mixed with sweat, creating dark patches on the ground. "Lyse… I fear… if I can't find Julien this time, I'll lose him forever."The agonizing thought of losing the love of his life pierced him. "No, you won't!" Alyssa gripped his arm tighter, her voice trembling with conviction. "If Jul had given up on you, he wouldn't have come here today. The fact that he showed up means he still cares."Jonah's eyes were bloodshot, filled with a pain too deep to hide. He shook his head slowly. "Julien came back for Jasper. He did it because he's loyal… because he's a good friend. Not because of me.""He does care!" Alyssa insisted. "If he didn't, he would've faced you without fli