Alyssa shot Sean a look, and the latter responded by opening the door."Ms. Alyssa! Ms. Alyssa!" Michael Grant, who had gotten into trouble yesterday, barged in through the door so quickly that Sean failed to hold him back. Alyssa frowned at the man who threw himself at her desk. "What are you doing here, Mr. Grant? I've approved your resignation. You're free to seek employment elsewhere.""This isn't fair, Ms. Alyssa! I've been working at this hotel for nearly two decades! I've given my all to this job and even gotten sick from it. Not even Mr. Taylor would do this to me. How could you fire me just like that?" Michael was sweating buckets as he yelled at her, red-faced."I've read through the particulars of every hotel executive. You're indeed ill with fatty liver and gallbladder polyps. Looks to me like the hotel is really profitable." Her smile was cold.Michael trembled when he picked up on the sarcasm in her words. "I had no idea that … that Elysian sold our hotel low-qualit
"Lia?" Jasper said, calming himself down."Help me, Jasper!" Liana pleaded for help through her sobs. "I'm being surrounded by reporters at Beckett Group … I'm scared!""I'm coming downstairs!" Jasper grabbed his coat and left without a second thought."No, Mr. Jasper!" Xavier stopped him in his tracks. "You should have security head downstairs to escort her instead. You'll be mobbed by the reporters if you go!"Jasper's expression turned somber, and there was not a lick of hesitation as he rushed out the door...."When will the wedding between you and Mr. Beckett be scheduled, Ms. Gardner?""The exposé claims that you and Mr. Beckett are childhood sweethearts. Did you two meet many years ago?""What are your opinions on Mr. Beckett's ex-wife? Is it true that his ex-wife interfered in your relationship?"The reporters were shoving their cameras into Liana's face. Despite there being bodyguards on-site, the situation was still chaotic. The woman played up her meek and weak fac
Jasper escorted Liana into his office under the scrutiny of everyone present in the building. The moment the doors shut behind them, she leaped into the man's arms and clung to him in tears. "Thank you for coming for me, Jasper. I was so scared …"Jasper's eyes were impenetrable pools as he pushed her away."Jasper …" Liana was puzzled."Why did you do it?" His tone was icy, the look in his eyes no less intimidating."What do you mean?""Why did you go to Solana Daily about our marriage?"She breathed a sigh of relief and tried to go back in for another hug. "Because I want to marry you. Don't you want to marry me?""I do, but what you did was inappropriate." His expression remained stern, completely missing his usual gentleness."What's inappropriate? You and Alice aren't married anymore!""There are still procedures she and I have to follow through. I also promised Grandpa we'll only make our divorce official after his 80th birthday." Jasper stepped back to avoid her. "She's
Golden rays shone through the clouds as the sun began to set. Jasper was slumped in the back seat of a luxury car that was on its way to Seaview Manor."I've dealt with the social media accounts that spread gossip about Madam Alice, Mr. Jasper. Their accounts have been shut down, and a lawyer's letter has also been issued. It should be enough for now. But the news about your marriage … We weren't able to remove it from the trending searches. Things … are looking difficult." Xavier looked apologetic.Jasper looked out the window sullenly. All this while, there were multiple occasions when he wanted to contact Alice upon remembering how badly their last conversation had gone. It was embarrassing having to go through Jonah to speak with her. Even if she did answer, what was he supposed to say? Should he apologize for what happened today? He couldn't do that. The words wouldn't come. It felt as if he were being crushed beneath a bolder that was so heavy he could barely breathe.Just as
"Oh my, who's sitting next to the beauty? Isn't that Jonah, the president of Belbanks' KS Group?"Landon raised an eyebrow mischievously and said teasingly, "Isn't Jonah known for leading a virtuous life and never setting foot in such a place? Haha, why is he here tonight?"No wonder Jasper and Landon couldn't recognize him. Alyssa's brothers were quadruplets. Among them, the eldest, Jonah, and the second eldest, Silas, looked incredibly similar at first glance. It was easy for someone unfamiliar with them to be mistaken."Damn it, I'm jealous. Such a beautiful woman should be my lover. What can Jonah give her?" Landon became more and more excited as he spoke.Downstairs, Alyssa was smiling sweetly at Silas.Seeing this, Jasper felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest.Once upon a time, that smile belonged solely to him.Not to mention the widespread scandals seemed to have no effect on her. This woman had the audacity to seek pleasure and revel amidst it all!Meanwhile, h
"Bitch, how dare you splash me in the face? Do you know who I am?" Dylan angrily wiped his face and cursed."I don't care who you are. You drugged a woman and tried to force her to drink it. You're worse than a dog." Alyssa casually flicked her hair, her eyes filled with seduction.Dylan was furious, and his rage was reaching its boiling point. How dare this woman insult him?If it weren't for the crowd around them, he would have rushed forward and slapped this despicable woman!At that moment, two bodyguards from the Gardner family caught up. Dylan immediately signaled them to take her away.She needed a good beating, and Dylan wanted Alyssa to learn her lesson on the bed.The two burly bodyguards lunged at Alyssa. Even though she was tipsy, her muscle memory allowed her to swiftly dodge their attacks, causing the two bodyguards to stumble."Too slow." Alyssa yawned."Capture her!" Dylan shouted angrily as he wiped his face.One of the bodyguards crawled up and reached out to
Dylan was so shocked that his jaw nearly dropped to the ground. So this was Jasper's secret ex-wife. Honestly, her beauty surpassed that of his sister by a considerable margin. His superficial and ostentatious sister wouldn't stand a chance against this absolute beauty if it weren't for her childhood friendship with Jasper."Mr. Beckett, even if she's your ex-wife, that doesn't justify me apologizing to her!" Dylan refused to back down, unwilling to lose face. "If she apologizes first, I'll pretend this never happened!""Your men might have done something to her if I hadn't arrived on time." Jasper's expression was as cold as ice. "Just because it didn't happen doesn't mean you're not at fault. Apologize."Dylan trembled inwardly but maintained his defiant stance.Alyssa's face flushed as the effects of the alcohol kicked in.She only heard something about ex-wife and apology, and she thought, "Does this despicable man expect me to apologize? I might as well twist his head off and
Alyssa's mind was clouded, and she even mistook Jasper for her brother. She choked and cried, "Why doesn't Jasper like me? Why ..."Jasper's heart skipped a beat, his thin lips tightly pressed together as he listened to her lament."I tried so hard. I really tried. But it seems the harder I tried, the more he disliked me. Why is that? Tell me!"Suddenly, she turned around and clung to Jasper while sobbing heavily in his chest. Her tears, running nose, and makeup smeared his clean shirt.He stood rooted to the ground, his throat tightening as he felt her scorching tears searing into his chest and saturating his heart.After a while, his voice deepened as he asked, "Do you really love Jasper?"Alyssa raised her tear-stained face, her cherry lips slightly parted.Jasper gulped as he struggled against the strong temptation of pure desire. He regretted asking that question.So what if she loved him? So what if she didn't? Their divorce was a done deal, and his life partner could onl
With years of experience as a criminal investigator and a naturally sharp mind, Cyrus' instincts flared the moment he heard Rio's question.Gabe slammed the table, his voice a thunderclap of rage. "Rio Olson! What nonsense are you spouting? Have I been too lenient with you? Dr. Gillis is a doctor, and I'm a police chief. How would I know her? Stop letting your imagination run wild!"Gabe's face flushed crimson as he glared at Rio.Unmoved, Rio stared back, confusion etched on his face. "Then why are you stopping me from investigating Sheryl by the book? I don't get it."Jasper's test results were positive, and we found drugs hidden in his office. That alone suggests drug abuse. To secure a conviction, we need to trace his supplier. Otherwise, this case will collapse in court."Let's not forget—Jasper's attorney is Steven Lynch, a top-tier ex-judge who's handled multiple high-profile cases."From his position outside the office, Cyrus could only catch fragments of the conversation
"Now that we're on this topic, there's something I need to tell all of you," Alyssa said, her expression grim. Her tone turned cold as she continued, "I highly suspect that Sheryl is actually Liana Gardner."Her words left the Taylor brothers stunned."I don't have concrete evidence—no confession, no DNA proof. But when I called her 'Liana' at that run-down hospital, she turned around. Her reaction was odd, to say the least. Beyond that, her mannerisms, habits, and private behavior are eerily similar to Liana's."Alyssa smiled confidently. "And most importantly, I trust my instincts.""No wonder!" Silas suddenly shot to his feet, his eyes wide. "When I first saw her at the hospital, when she brushed past me, I felt this strange sense of familiarity. So, she's Liana? That means my gut feeling was right all along!"Jonah's expression grew serious. "If that's true, Jasper is in even greater danger. Liana's return—under a new identity, working alongside Justin no less—means she's play
Silence filled Alyssa's office. Since the incident that led to Jonah and Julien's heartbreaking breakup, everyone had avoided mentioning Julien, even though the sorrow of it lingered like a heavy shadow.Alyssa had suggested the second option because she believed Julien might be the key to turning the tide in their favor. But where was Julien now?After the fallout, he had disfigured himself, consumed by hatred toward Jonah, and left without hesitation. Would he return? Could they even find him?"Let's try to think of something else," Cyrus said, shaking his head dejectedly. He understood Jonah's situation all too well. "I'll go look for him." Jonah closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, they glistened with unshed tears. The redness in his gaze betrayed his heartbreak. "Some of my former subordinates are still in Mosgravia. I'll contact them for help. I'll find Julien, even if it means sacrificing sleep and meals. No matter what it takes, I'll bring him back."Silas
Alyssa couldn't bring herself to go home, so she stayed at her office. Unease gnawed at her as long as Jasper's situation remained unresolved. Everything else seemed insignificant in comparison.When Cyrus updated her, a troubling realization struck—something was off about the witness, Sebastian Bender. As soon as Jonah, Silas, and Cyrus heard about Jasper's predicament, they agreed to travel overnight and meet Alyssa at the KS Group office.Worried that Alyssa and Sean might overexert themselves, the three brothers brought food to lighten the tense atmosphere with a touch of familial warmth."Sean, Taty asked me to bring this for you," Silas said, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "She made this soup herself and insisted you finish every last drop."A playful smirk tugged at his lips. "I checked the ingredients. They're all... nutritious for men."Sean's face flushed crimson as he pressed his lips together. Guilt flickered in his eyes. "She should be resting. She's due to give b
That night, Sheryl was brought into an interrogation room adjacent to Jasper's for questioning. Rio was Gabe's subordinate, but he wasn't privy to the full details of the situation. All he knew was that completing this task could give him an edge over his rival, Cyrus, and secure his standing within Gabe's ranks.To Rio, Cyrus was nothing more than a privileged man from a prestigious family, competing unfairly with those less fortunate. Rio was determined to prove himself superior, showing Cyrus how he dealt with Jasper, his future brother-in-law, and forcing him to admit defeat.Fearless in the face of wealth and authority, Rio boldly took on the president of Beckett Group, Jasper. He believed such audacity would earn him public admiration and a sterling reputation.However, Rio never considered the possibility that Sheryl might have her own stakes in this matter. To him, she was just another suspect."Mr. Beckett claims you provided him with the drugs," Rio began, his tone ster
The complexity of Jasper's case far exceeded Rio's expectations. There were so many underlying factors! "Firstly, I didn't know this was a narcotic, Chief Olson," Jasper explained calmly. "As you mentioned, this is a new drug that's only emerged in Solana City over the past two months. Most people haven't encountered it yet. Even someone as informed as you likely just started learning about it. How could I have known?"Secondly, I wouldn't have taken it if I'd known it was a narcotic. I'm dealing with health issues right now. Taking drugs would only harm me further. Why would I jeopardize my own life? Why would I not want to live a long life?"Jasper's posture was upright, exuding an air of sternness reminiscent of a disciplined soldier. His righteous demeanor made it hard to believe he was a man struggling with drug addiction. Who could look at him and think otherwise?While Rio mulled over the situation, Steven interjected with a serious tone. "Chief Olson, I strongly suggest qu
"Mr. Beckett's blood sample contained methamphetamine…" Rio's eyes widened in shock. He knew this substance all too well—it was a component found in crystal meth.Sebastian hesitated, then lowered his voice. "Also, if I'm not mistaken, Mr. Beckett was hospitalized due to severe withdrawal symptoms. He didn't take his drugs on time, and his body couldn't handle it. Would this count as evidence?""Dr. Bender, thank you for the crucial information you've provided. We greatly appreciate your assistance in this case!" Rio shook Sebastian's hand vigorously, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.Meanwhile, just around the corner, Cyrus stood with his back against the wall. He had heard every single word of their exchange. His chest burned with rage as he clenched his teeth. Pulling out his phone, he quickly texted Alyssa. "Lyse, the situation has changed. I can't join the investigation, but you must save Jasper this time."…An hour later, Rio strode back into the interrogati
Jasper sat upright next to Steven, looking unperturbed. Yet deep within, he held immense admiration for the man beside him. Born into nobility, Jasper was naturally aloof, and Steven's humility and poise were qualities Jasper rarely encountered, even among the elite circles. Only a select few had ever earned his respect. If he managed to navigate this ordeal and return safely to the Beckett Group, he already resolved to approach Steven personally. He would offer Steven the position of the company's legal advisor, with remuneration entirely at Steven's discretion—a gesture of Jasper's utmost sincerity. As the interrogation progressed, Rio's confidence began to falter. His expression grew stiffer with each passing moment until he finally let out a frustrated sigh. He was cornered.Steven, exuding the authority of a judge, spoke firmly. "It's one thing to summon my client for questioning or harbor suspicions about him. But every case must adhere to one fundamental principle—procedu
Despite possessing tremendous willpower, the sensation felt like living hell to Jasper."Do you know what this is?" Rio questioned.Jasper asked in a low voice, "What is it?" "It is known as Crystal Ice," Rio explained. "It's a new type of drug, currently the most addictive and lethal on the market."Jasper's pupils constricted, and his breathing became uneven. "What is it again?" "Mr. Beckett, now that we have concrete evidence, there's no need to continue this charade in front of me, is there?" Rio stated, standing before Jasper and studying him with a frigid gaze. "Come clean with us. Don't waste our time or yours. You're the president of a corporation; I know your time is precious."This is your first offence, so you won't receive a severe sentence. You should take responsibility for your actions. Don't dwell on it."Jasper lowered his eyes, a frown deepening on his face. Zealous balls of rage burned in his eyes. Sheryl had given him those pills. In other words, Justin h