Did Jasper just announce he wouldn't get a divorce?Sophia and Betty were taken aback by his sudden change in attitude. For a moment, Sophia forgot about her outburst while Betty stopped crying."Jasper Beckett! Are you defying my order?" Jasper, the out-of-wedlock son who was never favored, always went against Javier's wishes since he was young. Now that Jasper was appointed the president, he became even more brazen with his newly-attained power and publicly defied his father.Jasper was equally shocked by the smooth objection."What are you thinking? You were the one who wanted a divorce from Alice and to marry Lia! But you don't want to divorce Alice now that I asked you to. How could you take marriage lightly? I've raised a useless son!""Taking marriage lightly? That sounds about right." Jasper was enraged and restored with squinted eyes, "Like father, like son.""You prick!" Like a detonated bomb, Javier lost control of himself and slapped Jasper hard on the face. Even
"No! I won't! You can't make me apologize." Betty started making a scene."Xavier, come in." Jasper raised his voice. Hearing that, Xavier knocked and entered the room before greeting everyone with a curt nod."Show the document to the chairman.""Yes, Mr. Jasper." Eyes darting, Xavier handed Javier the document."What's this?""These are last year's and this year's financial reports of EV Concepts, co-run by Sophia and Betty," Jasper said flatly.Sophia and Betty's faces stiffened as they tensed up. "The reports show that the store has been making annual losses of almost 10 million in the three years since its operations. They also received funds from the Beckett Group to pay off the operational costs. "From the start, the agreement dictates that it is Sophia who will take care of the profits and losses. If the Beckett Group doesn't get a share of your profits, we shouldn't have to pay for your losses too."Jasper looked down. "If Betty does not offer a public apology for t
Alyssa tossed and turned throughout the night. Whenever she closed her eyes, her mind would be filled with Jasper's charming look. She could feel his fingers on her waist vividly.The thought made her sit up in bed suddenly. Why would her mind go there when they were divorced?Finally, she slept for two hours and went rowing for an hour in the morning to suppress her desire. After that, Sean prepared a hearty breakfast for her.She looked troubled while eating her bread and eggs and drinking her coffee."Ms. Alyssa, are you bothered by Ella's case?" Sean grabbed a napkin and gently helped her to wipe away the crumbs and oil on her fingers. His elegance could match that of a royal footman."I hate the feeling of losing." She inhaled sharply and narrowed her eyes. However, she did not vocalize the rest of her thoughts—that she hated the feeling of being under Jasper's control."How do you plan to deal with Betty Beckett?" Sean asked."I need some time to think over it. We need to
Alyssa's eyes betrayed her annoyance. She always hated media publicity from a young age. She would never put herself under the limelight unless she absolutely had to."Why would they make news out of nothing? Do they not have anything better to write about?" She took a sip of her coffee. "Whatever. The discussion will die off soon. I've also told Jonah to suppress the news, so we'll see his power at work soon. Let's use the back entrance."At the hotel's back entrance, Alyssa had Sean park the car while she sprinted into the private elevator and went to her office on the top floor. During her trip, she checked the hotel's official Twitter account.Thanks to the effect of the "Prettiest Angel" discussion, the official Twitter received an influx of replies and positive commentaries."I'll stay at a KS Group hotel next time! Their employees are the best!""She's so pretty! Anyone has a high-res photo of her full face?""KS Group is a reliable brand, unlike the Beckett Group. When wi
Landon was a master in the art of flirting, after all."Do you want me to break your bones for real, Mr. Harper?" Alyssa gritted her teeth and fired back. Her eyes were spitting fire.Landon dared not take a step closer. Acting pitiful, he stumbled backward. "Ms. Taylor, that was a joke! You scared me! I'm the victim, anyhow. "What more do you want from me after the hitting, yelling, and ruining my outfit? I can't possibly show up to lunch with my mom in this outfit. Shouldn't you at least get me some new clothes?"Alyssa admitted that she had overdone it. Landon was slightly more reasonable compared to the socially difficult Jasper. When Liana and the gang bullied her, it was Landon who got back at them on her behalf. She always remembered his kindness in her heart."My secretary will get you a new outfit. He'll also book you a room for a shower and rest. How does that sound?" She might look indifferent, but she was quite thoughtful."Oh, that's a lot of trouble. Why don't yo
"Lia, this is your chance to turn the tables!" Rosaline excitedly pinched Liana. "Make an excuse and get Mr. Jasper here. He must witness this scene. This will force him to give up on that little whore!""B-But Mom, he's at work now. He rarely goes shopping on the weekends with me, not to mention on a weekday. And …" Liana lowered her voice with a mysterious gleam in her eyes. She continued, "I've gained his favor with the relapse of my 'severe depression.' I need to behave well to win his heart. It's not the time to stir trouble.""You dimwit!" Rosaline jabbed Liana on the forehead. "It's unreasonable to make him spend time with you during work hours. But things are different if you have a solid excuse. It will be a chance to take your relationship to the next level!"She went off, "Being naively considerate is the start of a tragedy! Men are contradictory and shameless, you know. They don't like obedient women. "You'll boost his ego and self-worth if you look for his help imme
A few steps away, Landon and Alyssa walked in Jasper's direction. A tall and handsome man with a cold beauty by his side, they were a match made in heaven.Jasper felt his eyes twitching in rage. He also noticed the shopping bag in Landon's hand. Did the two shop together?However, Alyssa didn't see Jasper and Liana because she was too engrossed in Landon, who was telling a joke animatedly. She looked into Landon's eyes, and they both chuckled.Jasper felt a weight on his chest. The sight pained his eyes. Landon sensed an air of hostility and looked up. His eyes widened in shock. "Jasper! Why are you here?"Alyssa finally noticed Jasper and his sour face. Her gaze swept past Liana, who was in his arms, and a smirk appeared across her face.Knowing it was her chance, Liana held Jasper tighter and glared at Alyssa to claim him. Alyssa was unbothered by the action. In the past, she might have been envious of Liana, but she felt nothing but calm at the moment.To her, Jasper and
What a bastard!"Jasper, my chest hurts …" Liana hurriedly went up to him and rested her head against his shoulder as she grumbled. "Since you're here, why don't we go shopping? You've never shopped with me. Look at Mr. Harper going shopping with Ms. White …"Jasper followed Alyssa's figure with his eyes."Fine."…Alyssa shuffled away, looking upset. Her ex-husband's sudden appearance was a buzzkill that ruined her good mood."Hey," she suddenly called out. Landon answered with a twinkle in his eye, "I'm here.""I'm in a bad mood. Why don't you share a few more jokes?"Landon was speechless at her request. "Well, I can certainly do that. If you're looking to cheer up, I can gather a few people and have fun at ACE tonight.""It's fine. I don't drink with guys I don't know." She shot him a cold look. "By the way, aren't you worried that Jasper might unfriend you if we keep hanging out?""Fuck. You guys are divorced. Even if it's not official yet, it's almost certain. I didn't
Alyssa followed Jasper into the study. The door closed behind her with a soft click. She didn't move to switch on the lights or sit down. Instead, she stood quietly in the dim room.They faced each other, eyes locked. In the darkness, their gazes seemed brighter, charged with emotions that neither could put into words. Whatever stirred within them was tangled and silent—kept at bay by something unspoken, as if a wall had formed between heart and mouth. After a pause, Alyssa offered a faint smile. Her voice was soft, almost courteous. "Go ahead, Mr. Beckett. I won't be staying long tonight—I've made other arrangements."It was clear she didn't want to be alone in a room with him.Jasper's chest tightened, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion he couldn't define. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "You didn't vote against the motion at today's board meeting. I wanted to know… are we still on the same side?"Alyssa's gaze lowered, her voice steady and calm. "You didn't object
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"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