"I intended to do so as well," Jonah replied, nodding solemnly.Winston looked at his old friend. "Victor, it would help to have Josh aid in the investigation, given he's the CEO. You wouldn't mind if he aids Jonah, would you?""What's with the politeness? How could I possibly ignore something so serious that's affected Lyse? Help Uncle Winston as much as you can, Josh. You must investigate this thoroughly so Lyse is avenged!" Victor exclaimed.He was secretly grateful for Winston's decision. The police should've been called on to look into such a grave matter, but Winston chose to handle this privately on account of their decades-long friendship.If the police were involved, then so would the media. Since this incident occurred at Schmidt's Racecourses and Alyssa was injured from it, the Schmidt family's reputation would surely be affected if known to the public."Alright, I'll do my best to help Mr. Taylor," Josh said.However, Jasper's voice rang out the moment he finished spe
Meanwhile, Sophia had rushed over to one of the lounges on the racing grounds to meet Tristan after the race."Tristan … I'm coming, Tristan!" Sophia sometimes felt like she'd become much more youthful after meeting Tristan. Not only that, but she'd become more fearless, too.While living with the Beckett family, Sophia had hidden her true self and constructed a fake persona for the past 20 years or so. She had long been fed up and tired of having to appeal to Javier every single day. Sophia had had enough of trying to appease a man she despised with every fiber of her being.Tristan's presence was like the life-giving rain that a parched, cracked desert yearned for, completely rejuvenating Sophia. She was deeply entranced, unable to break free from him.With her heart pounding in excitement, Sophia shakily knocked on the lounge door. But it didn't open even when she knocked again and again.In the end, Sophia barged in and locked the door behind her.Unexpectedly, she was th
Sophia took a deep breath and went to open the door, acting calm. "What is it?""What are you doing here, Madam Sophia? Mr. Javier is searching for you all over the place." As Rory spoke, his eyes wouldn't stop peeking behind Sophia into the lounge."I was tired, so I found a place to rest. What are you looking for? You think I'm hiding someone?" Sophia leaned back against the door, arms crossed in front of her chest. She sneered. "Only an ugly and perverted mind would view the world as such. Go inside, then. Try to find a man hiding in here, or so help me!""That's not what I meant, ma'am."Rory didn't pursue the matter. He smiled politely and gestured for Sophia to exit the room. "Ladies first, Madam Sophia. Mr. Javier requests your immediate presence in the VIP area. Everyone is present save for you, Madam Sophia and Mr. Javier worries about speculation."…A peculiar atmosphere had settled in the VIP area.Zoe hid behind Cornelius, now pale and rigid as ice. Max had been b
"That's right, Mr. Beckett. Did you think that you are over the law and can do whatever you like just because you're the president of Beckett Group? "Watch what you say. I might just sue you for defamation!" Preston said as he pointed at Jasper's face. Jasper had a callous look on his face, and Preston had absolutely no respect for him at all. However, Jasper thought he was more like a barking dog putting up a fierce front. Landon hugged Lauren close and stroked her shoulder gently. He rolled his eyes at Preston. As someone from the Harper Group, he was criticizing someone else for being over the law? That was ridiculous! "Jasper, did you investigate thoroughly before saying these things?" Sophia, whom Rory brought back, witnessed this scene. She chimed in smoothly and condemned Jasper and those siding with him, "Beckett Group and Harper Group are family friends. You and Landon are also as close as brothers. How could you raise this sort of suspicion? This will hurt the p
Anger rose from within Alyssa as she clenched her fingers tight! She thought Max was being crafty with his words by twisting the truth. He was the one who had the intention to murder but was now attempting to push the blame onto Jasper. He was trying to stir things up to drive a wedge between Jasper and the Harper Group. He was trying to give Cornelius the confidence to stand up for him! "Jasper, this greatly affects the reputation of both our families. You shouldn't take this as a joke!" Sophia made herself appear like the head of the family. She pretended to be concerned for him as if she were doing so for the benefit of all.In a concerned voice, she said, "We know that you have always felt like you owe it to Ms. Alyssa because of your divorce. When you realize that she met with an accident, it's inevitable that you want to take revenge on her behalf …""Revenge? Mrs. Beckett, what made you say so?" Preston became more and more upset as he listened to her. He furrowed
Right at this moment, Winston put his arm over Lyla's shoulders. She could feel the heat from his palm on her shoulder as he gave her a gentle squeeze. Even though he was silent, Lyla could hear his heart pounding through his chest. Her teary eyes glistened. With Winston around, she was safe in her shelter. There was a place for her soul to rest. "Mr. Javier, as the head of your family, could you kindly keep a close watch on this loose-mouthed bitch?" Winston spoke up suddenly in a cold tone. The way he glared at Sophia was as if he was about to burn a hole through her. Everyone was taken aback by what they just heard. Loose-mouthed … bitch? If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn't have guessed that Winston, an upper-class man, was the one who uttered those very words! Sophia was enraged with embarrassment, and her face turned redder than a tomato! However, when her eyes met Winston's sharp gaze, she flinched. Jasper was completely floored. He had n
Having watched Sophia being hit, not a single soul came up to stop Neil. Even the Harper family members who spoke up for her earlier did not stand up for her now. The reason was simple. Inevitably, none of them dared to ruffle Winston's feathers further. Lauren was scared beyond her wits. Plus, Landon was hugging her tight, so she couldn't move an inch. As for Betty, she even held her breath and withdrew like a coward despite witnessing Sophia taking the hit. This was one similarity between Sophia and Betty. They were both dastardly bullies who relied on their powerful backing. "Apologies, Mrs. Beckett. But this was also what you deserved. I hope that you will remember to be more mindful of your words in the future." Upon saying that, Neil retreated to Winston's side emotionlessly. "Y-You!"Initially, Sophia thought of throwing her temper. However, when she noticed that she lacked support around her, she started to act pitifully. She held her swollen cheeks in her hand
"What's going on … How …" Javier's eyes trembled fiercely. His cheeks gradually turned red, and the vein on his neck was popping. He was reluctant to admit that the revolting woman on screen was Sophia, with whom he had shared a bed for over 20 years. At the same time, he couldn't lie to himself. That woman was clearly Sophia! The Taylors, Harpers, Schmidts, and even the Jesseltons all had their eyes fixed on the big screen. They were all dumbfounded by that impactful scene that they had forgotten where they were. It was as if Landon predicted that something bad was about to happen. He shielded Lauren in his arms immediately. Before she caught on to the situation, he picked her up and left with her as quickly as he could. "Fuck, that was so freaking exciting," Zoe chuckled. The look in her eyes was mischievous and excited. She gave Betty, who was completely frozen stiff, a nudge. It was apparent that she was gloating over her misfortune. "No wonder you really let loose and
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
Julien's merciless, hate-filled words hit Jonah like a ton of bricks. The pain was unbearable, a gut-wrenching ache that shattered his heart.Under the dim lighting, Julien vaguely noticed a sorrowful tear forming at the corner of Jonah's eye. But before it could fall, Jonah forced a blink, swallowing his emotions whole. Despite Jonah's attempt to brace himself, sorrow engulfed him, a tidal wave of despair. His features mirrored the devastation ripping through his heart. As Evan opened the driver's side door, Julien lurched forward and vomited again. The sickening sound of him retching echoed in the air as if he were expelling everything inside him. "Judas, Mr. Lovelace looks like he's suffering from alcohol poisoning. We should take him to the hospital."Evan's worry deepened at Julien's condition. Jonah wordlessly removed his suit jacket and began cleaning the mess in the car. His chest tightened painfully as he watched Julien groaning, clearly suffering. Then, without he
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