"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
Alyssa followed Jasper into the study. The door closed behind her with a soft click. She didn't move to switch on the lights or sit down. Instead, she stood quietly in the dim room.They faced each other, eyes locked. In the darkness, their gazes seemed brighter, charged with emotions that neither could put into words. Whatever stirred within them was tangled and silent—kept at bay by something unspoken, as if a wall had formed between heart and mouth. After a pause, Alyssa offered a faint smile. Her voice was soft, almost courteous. "Go ahead, Mr. Beckett. I won't be staying long tonight—I've made other arrangements."It was clear she didn't want to be alone in a room with him.Jasper's chest tightened, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion he couldn't define. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "You didn't vote against the motion at today's board meeting. I wanted to know… are we still on the same side?"Alyssa's gaze lowered, her voice steady and calm. "You didn't object
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"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