"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.""
From the start, Alyssa sensed that Zoe had been following her, but she wasn't bothered by it.Zoe, clutching her cumbersome dress, jogged up and blocked Alyssa's way. "Are you deaf or what? I told you to stay!" As Zoe was in a rush, she accidentally stumbled, which was hilarious to Alyssa.Alyssa snapped, "And why should I listen to you? Who do you think you are?"Zoe scowled. "You—""Spit it out or leave. I don't have time for chit-chat," Alyssa spoke with a smug grin and a frosty look in her eyes.Zoe unknowingly quivered, intimidated by Alyssa. Somehow, she sensed that Alyssa was growing to resemble Jasper, even the looks of their eyes, like an old couple."It appears you have nothing important to say. Well, get lost, then," Alyssa remarked. Just as Alyssa was about to leave, Zoe hissed, "You can't possibly think Jasper is serious about you, right? He's just playing along because you're a Taylor!"Alyssa chuckled. "I know whether he's playing along. If what you said was t
Zoe betrayed a hint of insanity when she noticed Alyssa's anger. She poked her cheeks, taunting, "Slap me if you dare! I bet you're dying to slap me. Come on!"Alyssa dug her fingernails into her palms, knowing that taking Zoe's bait and laying a finger on Zoe would only put her at a disadvantage.To her surprise, she heard a loud sound as she witnessed Zoe slapping herself. Zoe did not have mercy on herself at all—her cheeks were swollen, and her carefully styled bun came apart.With that, Zoe grinned maliciously and strumbled out of the doors. Then, she held her cheek and dramatically collapsed on the floor, drawing the attention of onlookers—media, guests, and staff alike.Those nearby shifted their gazes onto Zoe before noticing Alyssa by the door."What happened? Let's check it out!""Did Alyssa and Zoe have a brawl? And over what? That's quite crude.""What else could it be? Probably a spat over a man!""Jasper Beckett, right? Isn't he quite the catch? Seems like a lot of
A collective gasp swept through the onlookers after they learned that Zoe might have slapped herself. Judging from her swollen cheeks, they expressed shock at the cruelty she had inflicted upon herself.All colors drained from Zoe's face. She stammered, "A-Alyssa Taylor, w-what are you on about? I'm not crazy. Why would I slap myself?"Alyssa clicked her tongue and shrugged. "I guess you're crazy. Not only that, you scared the hell out of me. I should have demanded compensation for emotional distress. How dare you accuse me of something you did to yourself? Do you think you can slander me just because you bear the Harper name?"In the midst of the audible gasps, camera flashes illuminated Zoe's bewildered face.The surrounding onlookers engaged in hushed chatter. "Ms. Alyssa is known to be generous and kind. She has been involved in charity work and even took the initiative to arrange the maid's funeral. I don't think she's the type to frame Zoe Harper.""Even if Ms. Alyssa hit Ms
Cornelius thought, "The Taylors should count their blessings. If it were someone else who slapped Zoe, they'd be in serious trouble."Jonah fixed his gaze on Zoe. Despite not saying a word, he induced fear in Zoe, who promptly leaned closer to Penelope.Lyla released Winston's arm and hurriedly reached for Alyssa's hand. "Lyse, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"Penelope and Zoe looked incredulous upon hearing Lyla's words."I'm fine, Lyla. Don't worry," Alyssa reassured Lyla."Lyse, I don't believe that you slapped her. We trust your character, even if the outsiders don't," Lyla expressed her trust in Alyssa while shooting daggers at Zoe.Meanwhile, Winston pressed his lips and frowned. He looked at Alyssa with mixed emotions. He wasn't concerned at all about the possibility of Alyssa beating up Zoe. After all, Alyssa had always been cheeky and sassy from a young age.What bothered him was the fallout from the incident and the potential damage to Alyssa's reputation.For Al
Zoe found herself unnerved and unsettled by Jameson's unwavering confidence. Did he witness the altercation? Why else would he defend Alyssa?Jameson inched closer to Zoe, his dark eyes unrelentingly fixed on her. She shuddered as he questioned, "Did Lyse slap you?""I—" Zoe choked."You're an adult. You should be responsible for what you said. It'll be too late to regret your actions when the facts are out."A hushed silence fell on the crowd as they anticipated Zoe's answer. The fleeting seconds felt like an eternity.Eventually, Zoe succumbed to overwhelming fear, as if she had been held hostage. Never before had she felt such dread, not even in the presence of Jasper or Landon. She confessed, "W-When I was arguing with Ms. Alyssa, I lost my balance, hit my face on the door, and fell to the floor …"She omitted the part about slapping herself. Still, her partial confession was enough to prove Alyssa's innocence and cast doubt on her own credibility."Woah! But did Zoe actuall
Winston held Bill Harper, the father of Landon and Zoe, in high regard, and the two were best friends. Winston even grieved for a while after Bill lost his life in a plane crash. If Bill were around, the Harpers would have reached greater heights, and there wouldn't be a place for the Schmidts. Besides, Landon wouldn't have been placed in a difficult spot in the Harper Group."Let's move on. We should be enjoying the annual horse racing event. Our family wouldn't want to dampen the mood or divert the attention from the event." Winston stood with his hands on his back, looking gracious. "Mr. Cornelius, just have Zoe apologize to Lyse, and we're good."Upon hearing that, Zoe's mind went blank. It would kill her to apologize to Alyssa.Cornelius coldly urged her, "Zoe, apologize to Alyssa!"Zoe, gritting her teeth and trembling, mustered all her energy to mutter, "I'm sorry. It's all my fault."A captivating smile bloomed on Alyssa's lips. She replied, "I'm cool as long as you know
Alyssa coldly observed Jameson's fake act as she clutched her fists.Winston cast an affectionate gaze at Jameson and said warmly, "Attaboy. I know your feelings. Don't worry. You'll have many more opportunities to spend time with Lyse."The onlookers gasped at Winston's response as the cameras captured the interaction. As a legendary businessman who was at the top of his field, Winston had never shown such affinity with men younger than him. He clearly approved of Jameson as his future son-in-law candidate.Someone mumbled softly, "Why do I have a feeling that … Mr. Taylor intended to matchmake Mr. Jameson and Ms. Alyssa?""It appears like that to me as well. He's always cold to Mr. Beckett but friendly with Mr. Jameson. It's a clear sign, isn't it?"Besides, everyone in business knows that Victor Schmidt and Winston Taylor are good friends. Mr. Taylor spoilt his stubborn daughter. He wouldn't have approved of her marriage to Mr. Beckett otherwise. Instead, he would have married
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