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
Alyssa was shocked! Then, she noticed a flickering green light hidden in a corner. Someone had set up a video camera there when no one had noticed. Everything from the onset until now was broadcast publicly. The Harpers' blaming and arrogant attitude and Preston's pompous demeanor were broadcast for all to see.Everything happened so discreetly that even Alyssa, as meticulous as she was, didn't realize it in time.Netizens were entering the live broadcast room like a swarm of bees.The live broadcast had reached five million live viewers. The comments started flooding in."Oh, my God! The Harpers are vicious. They would abuse an animal to win a competition. They even tried to trample Ms. Taylor to death. This is a crime! It's murder!""This is downright demoralizing! They are society's scumbags!""The Harpers are a shame to society. Cornelius' father was a labor worker who carried sandbags at the piers of Belbanks. Then, he became a violent gangster. He was an aggressive risk-t
"Max had always been careful and reliable. How can he be so reckless? He had committed such a huge crime!" Penelope continued to rant."Mom, Max probably didn't want to let the Taylors win, so he wanted to show them who's boss."Zoe stroked Penelope's back to comfort her. Her eyes bore a grim and vicious expression. "However, it's unfortunate that things turned out this way for him. Now, Grandpa and Uncle Preston need to distance themselves from Mr. Horatio and let him become the Taylor family's scapegoat. "Additionally, we have to synchronize our story, asserting that this has nothing to do with the Harpers. It was all his idea. It shouldn't be too big of a problem.""I don't think it will be that easy."Despite being a housewife, Penelope hailed from a rich and influential family, affording her a clear perspective. She shook her head sadly. "You witnessed what unfolded earlier. The entire incident was broadcast live. While this may have been Max's fault, he is still a part of t
"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
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