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
Cornelius suddenly recalled that Landon had been in charge of the Harpers' bodyguards for years. At first, Cornelius decided to let Landon take charge of the security just to give Landon something to do and train his skills, as security wasn't a core part of the Harper Group anyway.To his dismay, his careless decision to give out authority had come back to bite him."I've worked with Jonah to surround the castle with security." Landon squinted dangerously. "Grandpa, I'm not trying to give you a tough time. As long as Zoe pays for her action and repents for her behavior, you can totally walk out of here safely.""Landon Harper, you brat!" Cornelius' veins bulged in anger."Who's the brat here?" Suddenly, Jasper glowered at Cornelius, looking like an awakened beast, ready to kill. One could smell danger from him.He added, "Who's the one who sided with evil? Who repeatedly tries to hurt my woman, thinking they had backing? It's you and your fucking granddaughter."The guests were
Julien spoke and walked up to Jonah's side. He joined the others in examining Zoe. "As a doctor, I am very well aware of patient confidentiality. Any self-respecting doctor would not leak their patient's information to a third party. "So, I surmised that Ms. Zoe had paid off Alyssa's physician. Did you, Ms. Zoe? If that's the case, let's get the doctor under arrest to secure our witness."Jonah nodded in agreement, acknowledging Julien's approach with a slight frown. Julien, in turn, looked pleased to receive Jonah's approval."Who's that handsome guy?" a voice inquired."Is he one of Alyssa's suitors?" another speculated.Julien silently fumed upon hearing that. He was not Alyssa's suitor. He was just a man capitalizing on Alyssa's case to win favors with Jonah."No! This has nothing to do with the doctor!" Zoe blurted out, flustered from all the talk of witness."What does that mean? Are you suggesting that the information didn't come from a doctor? Who provided it to you, th
Landon put on a chilling smile. "Zoe might not be a mastermind, but she's a conspirator. We don't even know if the alleged mastermind exists. For now, she has to bear the responsibility. Take her down!""No! I didn't plan this! I was manipulated ..." Zoe argued, realizing she was on the verge of public condemnation. She no longer cared about bringing down Alyssa. She was more concerned about her imminent incrimination.Unable to deceive any longer, she rushed to Landon in panic, admitting, "Landon, I was wrong! I'd never do it again. But I'm the victim here. Someone's manipulating me, destroying me and perhaps even the entire Harper Group!"Her tears, stained black by smudged mascara, were a comical spectacle. Crying, she reached for his hand, but he dodged her touch, looking disgusted.Failing to make contact, she lost her balance and fell to the marble floor on her knees. The impact sent pain shooting across her body, and she cried even harder."What exactly happened? Tell us!"
So what if Jasper had saved Alyssa multiple times? His so-called sacrifices couldn't make up for the pain he inflicted on her."No! No!" Zoe vehemently denied, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "That man has nothing to do with the hotel scandal!"Alyssa merely smiled, opting not to press further, as Zoe unwittingly betrayed the truth through her expression."Lyse, anything else you'd like to ask?" Landon turned to Alyssa with a gentle gaze.She calmly shook her head."Good. Bring her away," Landon instructed with a wave of his hand.Zoe's eyes widened in fear. "W-Where to?""The police station."Looking crushed, Zoe stumbled backward indignantly. She yelled in a shrill voice, "Landon Harper, you're screwing with me, aren't you? Didn't you say you'd let this slip if I tell the truth?""Let this slip? Did I say that? Maybe you're being delusional." Landon turned away from her with a determination that felt like a farewell. "Zoe Harper, I said I'd teach you a lesson, and no
"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