True love had nothing to do with a wife's culinary skills. A man who truly loved a woman would still find her attractive at her worst.Alyssa was too focused on cooking and did not notice Jasper creeping up to her.She gasped when he pulled her into a hug, his masculine scent enveloping her senses.He grumbled, "Why are you moving around when I'm not at home? You're injured and need rest." He tightened his grip on her waist with desire, but she kept quiet about the discomfort.Instead, she placed her right hand on the back of his hand and patted it. She allowed him to hug her for as long as he wished. His heavy breath on her neck sent electric shivers through her.Suddenly detecting a faint tobacco scent, she questioned, "Did you smoke?""Sorry, Lyse. I couldn't resist," he rasped, resting his chin on her shoulder. Rubbing his chin against her skin, he vowed, "I won't do it again.""Anything troubling you?" she wondered, feeling worried when she sensed his low mood."Nothing."
"Lyse, if you're planning a future with me in it, does it mean you're willing to marry me?" Jasper flashed a cheeky grin and pinched Alyssa's cheek.Alyssa protested, "No! I'm not marrying you. That was …"She had just thought that his proposal was shabby. …At the police station, Cyrus was facing a dilemma. The time limit for Sophia's detention had lapsed, and both the Beckett family and his superiors were exerting pressure to release Sophia within the next two hours.The clock was ticking.Simon Lynch emerged from the interrogation room after speaking with Sophia. He strolled over to Cyrus' desk, arrogantly crossing his legs. Lifting his chin, he sneered, "Chief Taylor, I understand your desire to seek justice for your sister, but everyone is equal under the law. No innocent citizen shall be treated unfairly."Abusing your authority against Sophia serves no purpose. It only exposes your inadequacy as a law enforcement officer. You're too young, lacking the experience and visi
Jasper realized that he had acted brashly when Alyssa ignored him. Alyssa had suffered enough when she was with him.Although he was overwhelmed with emotions, he knew he had to make amends. How could he imagine their life after marriage before he even prepared a grand proposal for her?It was patient and kind of her to not lose her temper with him.Alyssa gasped, "Oh, my soup!" The soup sputted and spilled over. She hurriedly cleaned up the mess.Looking at the boiling soup and the food in the rising steam, he teared up but quickly wiped away the teardrop. Wanting to help Alyssa, he rolled up his sleeves to clean the kitchen and set the table without bothering to change into casual wear.Jasper was pushed to tears because he felt sorry and guilty for his behavior. He could have enjoyed such a delightful home life in his three years of marriage, but he never appreciated her effort.Fortunately, he was able to win her back, and he resolved not to let go of her."The weather's war
Jasper and Alyssa's faces fell. Alyssa felt her chest tighten. "Did Tristan turn himself in?""Yes. He has also turned in all evidence against Sophia. Every one of them is devastating to the Beckett Group. Javier Beckett's blood pressure will go through the roof if he sees it. Simon Lynch could try all he wants, but he'll never be able to save Sophia."Despite the good news, Alyssa couldn't muster any joy. Jasper, sensing her distress, embraced her. "I know you won't feel like eating now. Let's head to the police station. I'll heat up the food when we get back."She leaned into his chest, nodding with a troubled expression.…Tristan sat calmly in the interrogation room, with just a wall separating him from Sophia. His composure was the exact opposite of Sophia's hysteria."Sir, that's all I have to report regarding the details of my drug dealing with Sophia," Tristan concluded.Cyrus studied his face and wondered, "Mr. McAlister, you should know that you're in deeper trouble th
"Lyse, amidst the evidence Tristan provided, there's this particular piece. He insists it be presented in court, but I'm hesitant. Sophia will be charged with or without this evidence anyway, but Javier will abandon her if he learns about it," Cyrus revealed.He then showed them a surveillance recording on his laptop. Although the recording was muted, the scene itself was shocking. Jasper, taking a deep breath, felt the instinct to shield Alyssa's eyes, even though they were all adults.It turned out to be a recording of Tristan and Sophia making love. Closing her eyes in enjoyment, she rode him naked.Having been a cop for years, Cyrus remained unfazed by the evidence. He had witnessed more disturbing scenes, such as spilled brains and bags of dismembered human remains.Alyssa was comparably calm. She even teased, "That witch is pretty good at keeping her figure.""Dr. McAlister has made a great sacrifice here," Cyrus lamented.Then, Alyssa shut the laptop and insisted, "Let's t
Alyssa remained astonishingly composed. She was the future heiress of the Taylor Group, and she should be handling the humiliation with grace.However, Jasper and Cyrus were visibly rattled, especially the former. As rage simmered in Jasper's chest, his hand began to shake, and his expression hardened.Noticing Jasper's change, Simon felt more emboldened, knowing that Jasper's hands were tied since they were at the police station. "Mr. Beckett, you're a lucky man. Just send Ms. Alyssa on the mission if you have trouble negotiating your deals. She'll charm the pants off any man, and you will secure any business deal you want. Ouch—"Just as Simon was enjoying the moment, he saw stars and felt sore in his nose. Then, he collapsed onto the floor.Alyssa widened her eyes and shouted, "Jasper?" She stared blankly at his towering and intimidating figure, her heart pounding against his chest.Even Cyrus was momentarily thrown off guard. Simon had fallen on the ground before Cyrus even no
Javier glowered at his trouble-causing son with a scowl. Following behind him closely was his secretary Rory Odon, some bodyguards, and Betty, who put on a sour face.Betty had initially been reluctant to visit Sophia at the police station. She had not stepped out of Seaview Manor since the horseracing event, where Sophia had brought shame to her.She refrained from checking social media or watching the TV. When she skimmed through her Twitter feed, she noticed people laughing at Sophia. On top of that, she had muted the group chats with the Solana City socialites, whose members relentlessly laughed at Sophia and herself.One of them wrote, "How I pity Madam Sophia. I bet Mr. Javier hasn't satisfied her in a while. Why else would she touch herself with such enthusiasm?""I guess middle-aged women who have given birth are no use for men anymore. I couldn't believe the same fate befell even the ex-celebrity Madam Sophia.""That has nothing to do with her age! If I were her husband,
Alyssa worried that her involvement might exacerbate the already strained relationship between Javier and Jasper. She wasn't worried about Javier's perception of her; she just refused to make things more difficult for Jasper within the Beckett Group."I think it's Sophia who should worry about her reputation," Jasper dismissed Betty's statement without even looking at her. "I'll advise you to behave. If you insist on clearing your mom's name, I will see to it that you join her in jail."His warning was directed at both Betty and Javier, making it clear that he wouldn't allow them to rescue Sophia."Jasper, how could you—" Betty stomped in anger and tugged at Javier's arm, pleading tearfully, "Dad, how could Jasper say that? It is my mom and your wife he's talking about! I think he wants me dead, too. What have I done to him? Who's the evil one here?"Javier was disoriented and irritated by her tantrum as he struggled to free himself from her grasp. Simon seized the opportunity upon
"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