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
Everything unfolded like a well-polished, well-rehearsed script. After the hideous scene of Sophia abusing drugs in the lounge was exposed, the cops arrived immediately to arrest her. Then, the image on the screen showed the VIP area. Sophia had a manic and dismal look on her face. The close-up scene of her urinating on the spot and then being arrested by the police was also broadcast on the big screen. While still in the entertainment industry, she always admired Lyla as the leading lady. Many outlets featured Lyla, which helped the audience to remember her. She had hoped that she would also be in a similar position one day. And now, she finally obtained what she wished for. This unforgettable disgrace had shot her into fame. The incident was one for the books, and she became the talk of the town. "Oh my lord … Did Sophia just urinate in public? A high-class plutocrat actually wet herself because of a few minor cops? What a loser!" someone laughed. "Don't be silly! Do
"You have contributed the most. I was just an assistant," said Jasper to Alyssa. The look in his eyes was gentle, and his heart was racing. He wasn't sure how else he could show his gratitude. Tonight, he would have to show his love to her with all his might. No, he had to love her till death and cherish her forever. "However, earlier, I heard the cops saying that they were arresting her due to drug violations. Why wasn't it …" Alyssa couldn't help but feel a little surprised. With a deep gaze, Jasper said, "I will tell you my plan in detail when we get home tonight." Other than Jasper and Alyssa, everyone else was caught off guard by Sophia's arrest. Even Jonah was floored. He glanced over at Alyssa with astonishment. She returned his look with a cheeky wink. Winston wrapped his arms tight around Lyla, who was shivering in her small frame. He asked softly, "Did that shake you up?" Although it was satisfying to watch Sophia receive the consequences of her bad karma, he wa
While Ezzo was hesitating, Jasper interjected in a deep and fierce voice, "Mr. Cornelius and Preston, are you both considering taking the opportunity to escape?"The Harper Group is infamous out there. As it turns out, it seems like you are all just cowards who aren't willing to take responsibility." "Cowards? Who are you referring to, Jasper? Explain yourself!" Preston shouted. His face turned red with fury. Everyone was shocked. They were gobsmacked! It was one thing for Winston to tell Sophia off. For one, she did indeed deserve the scolding. Additionally, he was pretty much on the same level as Javier, although some would say he was a big shot with a net worth higher than the Beckett Group. He was getting anxious. He even rebuked Javier. Who would dare to stop him? But, as someone younger, Jasper didn't have the guts to do so. If he did, how would he continue being friendly with the Harpers? Wouldn't he be afraid that the Harpers would start plotting against him?Alyssa
The Taylors were also enraged. They were about to lash out when someone else reacted even more strongly than they did. Jasper's muscular shoulders were tense. Blood rushed to his eyes, and he curled his fingers inward into fists so tightly that his veins were popping. He was about to rush forward to give Preston a lesson when a warm hand clasped around his fist. "Jasper, don't." Jasper held his breath. He looked into Alyssa's eyes, which were as bright as the stars. He felt as if he was being immersed in clear mountain springs and found himself calming down gradually. Alyssa stepped forward and sniggered, "Mr. Preston, there is nothing for you to worry about since Jasper is the one handling it. He will definitely not let any guilty persons off the hook and will not accuse anyone who is innocent." With what she just said, it was evident that she was still claiming that Harper Group was in the wrong! "As for Mr. Horatio, he claimed that Jasper was framing your family as per
"Everyone, aren't you curious about what was just sent to all of you?" With a deep look in his eyes, Jasper squinted. He had a playful look on his face that made everyone's heart race. The people in the crowd looked at one another as they retrieved their phones to have a look. Alyssa, too, was dying of curiosity. She also took out her cell and opened Twitter. In the next second, her eyes widened, and her heart rate increased. The entire competition was streamed live at such a grand horse racing event. Thus, the scene where she fell off her horse at the finish line was spreading like wildfire on the internet. The netizens were concerned about Alyssa's injury. However, they had all assumed that it was a mere accident. No one imagined that it was a setup. Lo and behold, the video that appeared on the internet unexpectedly revealed a big surprise to everyone! "What … What is this?" Cornelius's vision was blurry, so he wasn't able to get a good view of what had happened in the
The horse racing contestant was flattered and nodded hard. He looked at everyone seriously."I am a horse racing contestant representing the Lanchester Corporation. Our corporation's horses were placed opposite the KS Group after they entered the stable. Our boss likes to stand in the horse's perspective and observe their daily lives. It is his favorite pastime."So, my boss would install a small camera on the headgear of each horse. In this special circumstance today, our boss is afraid something will happen to his beloved horse. So, he made sure to switch the camera to a higher resolution so that it can monitor its surroundings better."When everyone heard it, their eyes widened in shock as their mouth gaped. Even Alyssa, who was rich with experience, was dumbfounded by what she heard. She had seen cars that had dashboard cameras. It was the first time she heard of a camera on a horse. She was perplexed at how she was drawn to getting to know him. What a remarkable man. Max
"Amber will be fine," Jasper said confidently. "Based on Justin's way of doing things, he won't harm her for now. She's still useful t o him. He'll exploit her to control you and Alyssa, and to keep me from taking him down."Gripping Jasper's arm, Axel pleaded, "Jasper, I have to save my wife… What should I do?" His eyes were red, brimming with unshed tears.Steadying his breath, Jasper replied, "Even if it comes to killing Justin, it shouldn't be your hands that get dirty. I'll do it.""Are you kidding me? If we're taking that bastard down, we do it together!" Axel's expression was fierce and unyielding. "We went through the same military academy. We have to fight side by side!""Justin is my older brother. It's my family's matter to handle. And don't think I'm doing this for your sake—I have my own reasons."After a moment of silence, Jasper's voice softened. "I came to see you today for another reason. When you get home, don't blame Lyse. She's been torturing herself with g
When Axel heard the news, he immediately returned to the city where his organization was based. Without even reporting back to work, he booked the earliest red-eye flight to Cyrris. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, and when he emerged from the arrival gates, an ominous air surrounded him. A black luxury car awaited him at the exit.Standing in front of the car were Jasper and Xavier, who had been waiting anxiously for his arrival.Axel's gaze locked onto Jasper's fiery eyes. His presence radiated fury, unrestraint, and a barely contained viciousness. A strong gust of wind swept through the terminal. Snow danced in the air, tangling both Jasper's and Axel's hair into disarray."Let's talk in the car, Axel," Jasper said in a low, measured voice.Red-eyed, Axel insisted, "I need to find my wife right now." "That's exactly why I'm here. Get in the car, and we'll talk." Jasper turned on his heel. His tone grew colder. "But let's be honest—you won't find her no matter ho
Jasper wanted to console Alyssa but found himself at a loss for words. So, he remained silent. "Disappointed, aren't you?" Alyssa sniffled as she smiled bitterly."Not at all." Perhaps he had been expecting too much. As a woman, she was intelligent, capable, and a strategist for victory. Beyond that, she boldly stepped forward to fight against the dark forces. She was strong and perfect as she was—why should he expect her to be anything more?Yet, seeing Alyssa's vulnerable side unsettled him. Something tugged at his heartstrings, a deep ache he couldn't ignore."I found it! I found Ms. Altman's cell phone!" With more manpower and better visibility as the sun rose, it didn't take long to locate Amber's bloodied phone. "Ambs…"Alyssa's face drained of color as terror gripped her at the sight of the bloodstained device. Jasper, on the other hand, remained composed. He tried powering on the phone, and to their surprise, it turned on. "What's the password?" Jasper asked g
"Five times more potent than the previous version? Are you sure it's safe for Remy to consume this?" Sheryl picked up the pill, unease flickering across her face. As much as she despised Remy, she couldn't deny his prowess as a fighter and his value as Justin's right-hand man. Having him around would certainly ease Justin's workload, prompting her to double-check."It won't kill him, but it won't be pleasant either. Don't worry—it's temporary," Justin replied, a sinister smile curling his lips. He continued nonchalantly, "When he takes the pill, his adrenaline will spike, flooding him with energy while his muscles tense. He'll feel both pain and euphoria. Then, it will fade, leaving him dependent on the drug moving forward." The implication was clear to Sheryl. Justin intended to control Remy through addiction. "Remy wasn't born for the shadows," Justin continued, his gaze darkened. "He's just a victim of post-traumatic amnesia, his nervous system subdued with sedatives and anes
"Got it, Mr. Harper!" Harper Group's subordinates acknowledged before swiftly dispersing. "I'm going to search for Amber too," Alyssa said, turning to leave.Jasper caught her arm. "It's freezing. Go wait in the car." Landon chimed in, "Lyse, listen to Jasper. Just wait in the car. We'll search for Amber.""No—I have to come too!" Alyssa sniffled. The sharp wind stung her face, leaving her nose raw and crimson, her eyes watering until they puffed into tender, swollen crescents. "Amber's in trouble because of me. I was careless—it's all my fault!""Lyse…" Landon's heart sank at her remorseful expression.Jasper's gaze softened as he studied Alyssa's pale face. "Her disappearance isn't your fault."Tears welled in Alyssa's eyes as she shook her head. "Amber means everything to Axel. If anything happens to her, I won't be able to face him. I don't deserve to be his sister. Please, let me come with you."Jasper and Landon failed to dissuade her. Reluctantly, they agreed. Alyssa
After studying Sheryl for a moment, Remy turned and left."M-Ms. Gillis, are you okay?" One of Sheryl's subordinates came forward to help her up."Useless bastard! Why didn't you step in when he hit me earlier?" Sheryl's voice trembled with fury as her gaze fell on the crimson stains marring the pristine snow.Stammering, the subordinate replied, "R-Remy acted too quickly. Everyone in the organization knows how good of a fighter he is. None of us stood a chance against him!""S-Something wasn't right about him tonight." Sheryl watched Remy's retreating figure disappear into the distance, her voice dropping to a menacing murmur. "I need to report this to Mr. Justin in person immediately."Inside his car, Remy gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands but made no move to drive.Closing his eyes, he felt a suffocating sensation rise in his throat, as though he were drowning in an endless, hopeless sea. He was just a speck, sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss.A shar
With a piercing gaze, Sheryl glared at Remy, who stood in front of her car with an air of frigidity around him. The temptation to ram her car into the crestfallen man was almost irresistible, but she didn't dare. Remy was Justin's right-hand man, and even her audacity had limits. Instead, Sheryl pulled her white coat snugly around her, stepped out of the car with feigned composure, and strode toward him. Hostility crackled between them as their eyes locked.Sheryl broke the silence. "Remy, is there nothing you'd like to update me about?" she asked with a sinister look in her eyes. Stiffly, Remy asked, "Where did you take that woman?" "How shameless of you to question me. Mr. Justin was wise to send me as backup. Otherwise, Amber would have escaped without a trace!"Gritting her teeth, Sheryl took a step closer to Remy. "Is this how you handle tasks entrusted by Mr. Justin? The unstoppable Remy, brought to his knees by a wild brat? Or did you let her go intentionally? Are yo
"Jameson and Carl have been eliminated. Who else could be targeting Amber?"A sharp glint flashed in Jasper's eyes as a thought struck him. "Could it be Justin or Sheryl?" he asked, his voice low and tense.He recalled seeing Justin in the living room earlier that evening, wide awake instead of resting. Was Justin waiting for something? Or perhaps, provoking him in subtle defiance?"They are the only ones I can think of with a grudge against Amber." Alyssa's anxiousness made her voice tremble. "Having worked for Jameson for years, Amber must have visited Mosgravia multiple times to meet with Sir—who is, in fact, Justin. "Justin wouldn't have met anyone else besides Jameson. But how could he leave no trace after all those interactions? Amber must have figured out his true identity. And Justin—he must have realized who she is, even with her changed appearance."Jasper's expression darkened. "So he decided to eliminate her as a precaution."Tears welled in Alyssa's eyes, threaten
Searching for Amber without direction would be pointless. Jasper made a swift decision to bring Alyssa back to the manor, shielding her from the relentless chill of the wind. Once inside, he immediately began organizing the search. He deployed his men and contacted Landon, requesting additional support.The two of them sat together on the couch.This time, there was no space between them. It was as though an invisible force drew them closer, their proximity feeling natural yet electric. Neither could say who had moved first.Alyssa, however, was in no mood to dwell on their closeness. Wrapped in her down jacket, she curled up on the couch, her arms hugging herself tightly. A quiet frostiness emanated from her as she sat in silence, listening to Jasper's calm and methodical calls to mobilize his team.In the past, his composed presence would have been enough to ease her mind. But now, her thoughts were a tangled mess, each one like a razor claw tearing at her heart. The pain was u