"Lyse, what are you doing?" Winston warned her."Dad, please trust Jasper," Alyssa pleaded in a coarse voice, her eyes shimmering in tears.As witty and calculative as she was, she couldn't stop herself from going up to Jasper.Winston felt sorry for his daughter and said sternly, "I never said I distrusted him. But he's at odds with Javier, and he's involved with the Harpers. If he's a man worth marrying, I would like to see how he'll resolve the situation."The situation grew extremely tense and awkward. Judging from Jasper's steely expression, he seemed reluctant to show any regard for the Harpers.Cornelius could not take it anymore. He pulled Zoe along to confront Jasper, "Jasper, you are free to love whoever you want, but how could you not offer an apology or an explanation six months after you slept with and dumped my granddaughter? What do you take her as?"Zoe started sobbing on cue. Cornelius continued with his stinging remarks. "Are we wrong for wanting you to take res
Alyssa stared into Jasper's eyes through tears. They only had each other in their eyes.He treaded toward her as if he had scaled mountains and sailed oceans to reach her. Standing beside her was Winston.Jasper, caught in a surreal daze, appeared deeply moved. He felt as though he was welcoming his bride. The world around him faded into silence. All he could hear was his thunderous heartbeat. The scene seemed too perfect to be true."Jasper …" A tear rolled down her cheek like a meteor streaking across the night sky. Jasper was ready to sacrifice everything for her, and she felt the same toward him.Whether it was surviving the Luminara battlefield with Jasper or marrying him without their families' blessings, they had given their all for their love."Hold on a moment!" Zoe glared at them, her voice shrill and trembling. Her hopes were repeatedly crushed, and she couldn't bear it any longer.She thought, "Alyssa, Jasper, if you stubbornly wish to be together, perhaps I should un
Landon gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw. Thankfully, Jonah held him back when he was about to barge into the hall.Jonah advised him, "Landon, calm down. You have nothing to worry about because my dad and Jasper are there to handle it. "Besides, you shouldn't appear like you're siding with outsiders at this critical point where you are about to be appointed the president of the Harper Group. You don't want to upset your grandpa. So, do not act rashly for the sake of your future."Landon's eyes burned in rage. "But Jasper is my bro! I can't sit back and watch my family fuck with Lyse! How could I betray Jasper just for a company president role? I'd be ashamed to face them in the future."Jonah was rendered speechless by Landon's seemingly uncultured outburst, but he shrugged it off because he empathized with Landon's feelings.Meanwhile, Jasper again shifted his hostile gaze onto Zoe, his eyes an abyss, ready to consume the evil woman.Zoe tried to maintain her composure un
"Lyse, is this true?" Winston turned to stare at his daughter, who looked as pale as a sheet. Filled with pain and resentment, he tossed the paper at her. "Tell me, is everything on this paper true?"Alyssa almost lost her balance. She gripped her chest and slowly crouched as she stiffly picked up the paper. She clutched it tightly in her fingers."Lyse …" Jasper, looking blank, approached her. She admitted, "Yes, it's true."Winston felt the world collapse around him. Pain shot through his head as his vision blurred. Jonah and Landon were surprised by his intense reaction, especially Jonah, who had never seen his dad so angry in the 30 years of his life.Even when Winston learned about Alyssa's divorce, he was mostly angry at Jasper for his treatment of Alyssa. Never had he pinned the blame on Alyssa.Perplexed by Winston's seemingly unjustified rage at Alyssa, they watched as Winston marched up and dragged Alyssa out of the hall with him. "Let's go! You'll come home to Belbanks
Alyssa was at a loss for words at that moment. Gasps filled the hall as the guests stared at her in disbelief. The talented daughter of the affluent Taylor family stood exposed as infertile. They couldn't imagine the life she led under the Beckett family and the extent of torture Jasper had inflicted on her.Despite her social status, her infertility was akin to a death sentence. Her infertility would weigh heavily on her, taking away the fundamental right to reproduce that every woman possessed. Landon's expression froze, momentarily paralyzed by the shock. Even then, he had to support Jonah, who was on the verge of collapse upon learning of Alyssa's infertility.As her brother, Jonah thought he was aware of all her secrets, but he was proven wrong. He chastised himself and his other brothers for failing to protect their sister.Now that Winston had turned against Jasper, Zoe shifted her attention to Javier. "Mr. Javier, your son has gravely hurt Alyssa. I think it's impossible
Meanwhile, Zoe experienced dizziness in the aftermath of the slap. The taste of blood lingered in her mouth. She grimaced from the excruciating pain in her ear. Due to the pain, she abandoned her attempts at maintaining composure in the public eye."Ouch! My ear! It hurts!" After being slapped twice on the right cheek, her ears rang, causing her to yelp in pain."Zoe! My dear Zoe!" Cornelius wailed and rushed toward his granddaughter without carrying his walking stick. His eyes widened in shock as he tried to help her up from the floor, but she was too weak to get up after Landon's powerful slaps.Sitting on the ground and looking frail, she sobbed. "Grandpa, my ears hurt. I can't hear anything in my right ear.""What did you say, Zoe?" Cornelius was frightened. Despite raising his voice by her ear, she couldn't hear him very well. Unfurling a trembling hand from her right ear, she gasped at the sight of blood on her palm.She cried out, "My ear! I'm going deaf!"All the Harpers'
Javier veiled his warning with a touch of advice. He added, "Furthermore, this is the history between Jasper and Alyssa—between the Becketts and the Taylors. It would be prudent for you to bring Cornelius and Zoe home for now. You should stay out of our affairs.""Hah! Did you hear yourself? Are you saying that Zoe is not guilty of exposing Alyssa's medical history to the public and shaming Alyssa for her infertility? She did that with the intent of seeking revenge on Alyssa and fulfilling her own agenda," Landon called out Zoe mercilessly.However, Landon's words stung Alyssa again. Clenching her teeth and closing her eyes, she struggled to hold back her tears.Each tear that slid down her cheek inflicted pain upon Jasper's soul.How he wished he could hold her tight and kiss her like the intimate nights they had shared. Alas, he did not feel like he was deserving of her."Landon, are you mocking me now?" Javier's patience began to wear thin."Well, you shouldn't beat around the
"I'm sorry, Jonah …" Alyssa murmured, nestled in Jonah's embrace.Jonah, overwhelmed by guilt, shook his head and pulled her into a deep hug. "Nonsense, my princess. You've done nothing wrong. No need for apologies. It's my fault for not giving you enough attention. I should be sorry to you."She gave him a wry smile. Finally, she realized her naivete. She had thought she could shoulder the pain on her own to protect her love and her family from guilt and worry.Still, all her efforts went down the drain when the truth came out.Jonah held her close, stealing a glance at Jasper's pale face before turning away. "I've stationed our bodyguards around the castle. No one from the Harper family can leave until this matter has been resolved."Jasper's last glimmer of hope was shattered under Jonah's gaze. Feeling like a sinner, he thought he had poured all his love into Alyssa, only to discover he had deeply wounded her. He did not deserve to be with her. He did not even deserve to hold
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
The hospital ward grew heavy with silence. Mandy and Neil stared at Alyssa, stunned beyond words. "M-Ms. Alyssa, you knew that man was Mr. Damien?" Neil asked, disbelief etched into his voice. "Yes." Alyssa's reply was quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "We found out when Cyrus took Damien's cigarette butt for a paternity test."Mandy approached Alyssa, her shoulders trembling slightly. "So, you and Cyrus knew… and you both kept it from me?" Mandy said, her voice catching in her throat, tears welling up. Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Mandy, I'm sorry. It was my decision. Cyrus had nothing to do with it."Mandy's tears fell freely now, her grief spilling out in raw sobs. "Do you know what it's been like for me all these years, thinking Damien was gone? Winston, Miley, Lyla, and Colene kept telling me to move on. I tried to accept that he was dead, that we'd never find his body. But I never did."Her vo
The hospital ward was bathed in a dim, yellow glow from the bedside lamp. The silence was thick, yet the room held a strange warmth—an unfamiliar comfort that felt oddly familiar to Remy.Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to sit up. His eyes fell on Mandy, who was asleep beside his bed. Her hair was a mess, and her swollen eyes suggested she'd been crying. She was sound asleep. Remy stiffened. His breath quickened as he stared at her fragile figure. Slowly, he leaned forward, his fingers lifting slightly, tempted to reach out.Just as his hand hovered close, Mandy's lashes fluttered. In her sleep, she murmured, "Damien… Damien… I miss you so much…" Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unbidden.A pang tugged at Remy's heart. Without thinking, he brushed away her tears with his calloused fingers. The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through him, sharp and electrifying. Pain throbbed at his temples, but beneath it was a warmth he didn't want to let g
Justin's casual question hit Javier like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through him, freezing his expression. His voice trembled with fear as he barked, "What nonsense is that? Are you accusing me of causing Chester's death? I'm your father—how could you think I'd do such a thing?""It's not an accusation. Just the facts," Justin replied coolly, crossing his legs and savoring his tea with unsettling calm. "And I'm not condemning you. In fact, I understand why you did it. I'm facing the same dilemma now."Javier's breathing grew ragged. He had watched Justin grow from a child into the man before him—now a predator, circling with quiet menace."You were meant to be the heir as the eldest son," Justin continued, his voice smooth as silk. "But Grandpa favored Uncle Chester, handing him major projects, grooming him in plain sight. "Uncle Chester's reputation soon eclipsed yours. He was a natural leader, adept at business, with one fatal flaw—he was kind. Too kind. Unlike you."Justin
Nonetheless, night had fallen by the time Justin arrived at Seaview Manor. On his way there, he worked on two things. First, he secured the top legal team to get Sheryl out on bail as quickly as possible. Second, he tried reaching Remy—unsuccessfully. He had never lost contact with Remy before. Justin's face was as dark as the night itself. The moment he stepped inside Seaview Manor, Rory approached with a solemn expression. He gave a slight bow before speaking. "Mr. Justin, what took you so long? Mr. Javier has been waiting.""I was occupied," Justin replied coolly. Then, as if it were an ordinary evening, he allowed a faint smile. "Where's Jasper? Is he back here yet?" A conflicted look came across Rory's face. "Things between you and Mr. Jasper have soured. I doubt he'll want to see you anytime soon—or show up here.""Is that so? How disappointing."Justin's smile didn't reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on Rory, sharp and bottomless. "So, he'd rather believe what he se