14 horses shot out like arrows, and among them, Blaze had the fastest start and the strongest burst of speed.A fervor swept through the crowd, its clamor growing louder and louder.Jasper watched as Alyssa rode Blaze. Her figure was as swift as the wind. His heart was pounding intensely, and the blood in his veins was churning.He was secretly cheering for her in his mind. "Go!"Alyssa's crisp shout cut through the rushing wind. Blaze was as fast as lightning, and she could even feel the pressure and resistance in the air.But no one among those who could participate in this competition was weak.While Blaze briefly led the race, showcasing its full strength under Alyssa's control, its physical advantages were not remarkable compared to other excellent horses.Soon, a foreign equestrian surged ahead."Hahaha! Well done! Good!"Cornelius exclaimed with excitement, tapping his cane on the ground. He smiled from ear to ear. "Did you see that? My family's Thunderbolt is in the
An hour ago, Zoe called Cornelius' confidant, Max Horatio, to a secluded place, and the two secretly conspired."Mr. Horatio, you've been with our family for a long time. I've known you since I was a child when you worked for my grandpa. I know your loyalty to our family," Zoe said, her eyes filled with tears and appearing pitiful."Yes, Ms. Zoe. I've watched you grow up. Your family has been kind to me. I'm willing to do anything for you." Max pledged solemnly, then worriedly asked, "Ms. Zoe, is there ... something wrong? You look terrible."So, Zoe fabricated a story, turning the truth upside down. She portrayed herself as the victim of Alyssa's bullying."Not only that ... she even wants to steal my fiancé."Zoe started to sob. "Jasper and I have a deep affection for each other, and we were about to get engaged ... But Alyssa stole my fiancé from me."If I can't get engaged to Jasper, I'll become the laughingstock of the entire Solana City. How can I face people in the future?
"Learning is an endless process, Jasper. If you're not good at it, you can learn. I can be your teacher. Don't worry. I'll only teach you." Landon nudged Jasper with a playful expression."Landon, I feel a bit uneasy." Jasper's mood inexplicably turned heavy. He raised his hand and loosened his tie."I feel uneasy, too. I can't even look at Jamebitch without wanting to throw up my dinner from last night." Landon made a disgusted face."No, not that … I just feel like something is about to happen."Jasper's gaze was deep. He wasn't sure if it was due to excessive concern, but he felt an unexplainable oppression.He didn't mind if Alyssa didn't win first place. He just wanted her to return safely to his side. That was the most important matter."Josh, Jimmy keeps talking to the Taylors. It seems like he's really ingratiating himself with Mr. Taylor."Worried, Daisy whispered to Josh, "Mr. Taylor wouldn't really want to marry his daughter to Jimmy, right? That would be a disaster!
Only about 100 feet were left, and the Harper Group's horse was leading.Cornelius was so excited that his hands trembled as he gripped his cane. Meanwhile, Preston had walked up to Ezzo and Zeke, ready to shake hands and celebrate.At this moment, Alyssa completely disregarded the outcome of the race. She was only concerned about Blaze's safety.Just when the foreign equestrian thought victory belonged to him and was already waving to the audience, a gust of wind swept past him. It was so fast that he couldn't even see it clearly.Following that, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd."Horse number five breaks through the finish line first! Congratulations to KS Group and Ms. Alyssa for winning the championship!"Led by Winston, the Taylors burst into excited cheers."Lyse! You're amazing! Lyse!" Even the usually soft-spoken Lyla shouted joyfully.Jonah had a beaming smile, clapping until his hands turned red.On the other hand, Cornelius, who had just seen his major pro
"Yes, it's me ... Lyse, it's me." Jasper's mind buzzed, and his voice was hoarse.He tightly embraced the trembling Alyssa as if she might vanish into thin air if he loosened his grip. His heart felt like it was shattering into pieces. "Lyse ... Tell me where it hurts. Quickly.""Blaze ... Blaze."Regaining her ability to think, Alyssa immediately thought of the poor little creature. She struggled to break free from Jasper's embrace and rushed toward Blaze, who was lying on the ground and gasping for breath."Lyse! Come back!" Jasper called out to her with all his might, his heart tightening. At once, he followed her.Just then, medical staff, Jonah, and Neil arrived. Despite their numbers, they couldn't stop the anxious Alyssa.Beneath the stage, the image of Jasper rushing onto the track, cradling the injured Alyssa, left the spectators both shocked and deeply moved."Oh, my God! Is that frightened man the Mr. Beckett I know? This is unbelievable!""I never thought I'd see Ja
"Blaze ... Why did you force yourself? I told you to stop. Why didn't you listen?"Jasper stood stiffly by Alyssa's side, watching the heartbreaking sight of her being deeply distressed for her horse. His heart ached with her as well.She was inherently kind. What he loved most was her pure and kind soul.The horse trainer quickly arrived and immediately conducted a detailed examination of Blaze and Alyssa.Soon, they discovered the problem.Blaze's left leg had a long and narrow knife wound!The wound was located on the backside of its leg, so it was well-concealed. Neither Alyssa nor the horse trainer noticed it due to the rush to enter the arena.Moreover, it was evident that this injury was intentional.Initially, proper treatment and bandaging could have avoided significant harm. However, after galloping for miles hysterically, the wound had deteriorated dramatically.The pus and its dark fur merged into one, and the injury had become so severe that it was deep enough to
Alyssa raised her sweaty face, beaming at Jasper. Her eyes revealed a hint of admiration. But she wouldn't tell him that. She feared he might become too proud."Lyse! How are you?"At this moment, Jameson hurried over, followed by Carl and several members of Solana City's top surgical medical team, all wearing white coats. Jameson had dispatched them at the fastest speed."Mr. Atkins, Mr. Benton, please take Blaze in and have the tools ready. I want to perform the surgery myself."Alyssa stood up with Jasper's support, calmly stating, "Also, I need a steel plate to fix my waist. Nothing else for now.""Okay, I'll help you before the surgery." Jasper's voice was hoarse, and his heart ached for her once again.The two of them walked past Jameson. None of them spoke to him or even glanced at him. They treated him as if he were invisible.This kind of disregard was more unbearable for Jameson than having his throat slashed with a knife."Lyse ... Lyse!"No matter how Jameson calle
Jonah took care of the tasks Alyssa assigned and returned with a stern face.Before Winston and Lyla could speak, Zeke rushed up, asking with concern, "Mr. Jonah, how is Ms. Alyssa? Is she seriously injured?""Thanks for your concern, Mr. Zeke. My sister is fine for now. Apart from a few superficial injuries, the injury to her waist is a bit severe, but Mr. Beckett has already treated her. Right now, he's accompanying her to rest in the infirmary," Jonah replied with a smile, but his expression didn't appear relaxed.When Zeke heard that Jasper was with Alyssa, his expression darkened."Phew ... Thank God, and may God bless her." Ezzo showed his kindness, making the sign of the cross over his chest.Meanwhile, Winston's pale complexion eased a bit. With Lyla's support, he slowly sat down. However, he remained anxious and abruptly stood up again, preparing to go see his daughter.Suddenly, Preston frowned and spoke, "Oh, how's the horse?"Silence fell among the group."Mr. Prest
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