Everyone was shocked.Victor and Josh were stunned to their cores, their mouths so wide it nearly touched the floor."Lyse, how could you…" Jonah gazed worriedly at his sister, feeling troubled.As Alyssa's big brother, he was responsible for dealing with any gunfire shot their way and protecting his siblings.Jonah wanted to handle this alone, but who knew his sister would make an appearance and provoke the Schmidt family? She had drawn enemy fire to herself now."Get it up? What do you mean, Alyssa Taylor?" Josh's elegant demeanor was nearly at its breaking point. He glared menacingly at Alyssa and said, "And… What did you say you did? You beat up David? You dared beat up my own brother? How dare you!""Why wouldn't I dare?" Alyssa's eyes narrowed as she grinned. "If David was daring enough to take advantage of Taty, then I'm equally daring enough to teach him a lesson!"Killing him would've been too easy. Scum like David deserves to suffer in prison with other scums like him.
Otherwise, Alyssa would only help Jasper gain more enemies. The Schmidt family would definitely target Jasper if they knew."Oh, thank the heavens… thank the heavens!" Winston cried to himself, though he was still overwhelmed with anxiety for Tatiana."Sexually incompetent? How could my son be sexually incompetent?" Victor was stunned by this news. His face grew beet red with rage upon hearing Winston's words. "What did you just say, Winston Taylor? Are you cursing my son?""Curse?" Winston sneered angrily, his eyes boiling with fury. "David deserves hell for what he did to my daughter! If he wasn't your son, Victor, I would've made sure he didn't live to see another day! Beating him up and tossing him behind bars is already the greatest mercy I can give!"Victor and Josh's hearts lurched.They had come all this way to Belbanks just to demand an answer from the Taylor family, yet who knew they would end up humiliating themselves instead!Jameson's eyes were burning with anger. Bl
"Hmph! You're still so young, Josh. You can ask your father how I fought my way to where I am today if you're unsure." Winston's eyes gleamed ferociously. "Ask around and see just how terrible you'll suffer if you antagonize me!"Josh's heart quivered fearfully, but he still put on a tough, fearless act."I say this to all of you now, not as Cyrus Taylor of the Taylor family, but as the police—" Cyrus then displayed an arrest warrant for the Schmidt family to see. He continued, "The police have officially arrested David Schmidt under the charge of sexual assault. We have ample evidence and witnesses to support our case, too. You Schmidts can prepare yourselves to attend David's trial."Cyrus then smirked. "Or, should I say, criminal suspect David Schmidt's trial."Despair overwhelmed Victor and Josh.This was an official warrant from the police. They had no choice but to concede to the matter now.Josh tried fighting back but was swiftly stopped by Victor, who said quietly, "Wh
A red sports car came to a stop in front of a club in the middle of the night. Amber stepped out of it dressed in a skin-tight black dress, showing off her curves. Her bejeweled heels glinted in the light, giving her a striking appearance overall."He's still inside, Ms. Altman. I've been keeping watch all this while." A lackey walked over to Amber from a dark corner.Amber tied her hair into a bun before decorating it with a silver hair stick studded with a ruby. Her beauty left the lackeys around her in awe."Wait outside and prepare to cover me."…Dim lights flashed in the club. Amber gritted her teeth together as she moved amidst the people who were enjoying their night. Her eyes were set on Axel who sat at the edge of the bar.The closer she got to him, the harder her heart pounded. The pandemonium around her seemed to disappear as if she was in a dream.Amber gently touched her hair stick. If things went according to plan tonight, her beloved hair stick would be used to
Axel narrowed his eyes. "You're not here specifically for me, are you?" Amber ran her finger in slow, circular motions along his firm chest. "You should believe that we were able to meet previously because of fate, mister." Axel raised his brow. "I see. It was fated indeed." "Thank you for helping me the last time." Amber wrapped his black necktie around her hand. Her soft skin was brushing against his body. With a longing gaze, she looked at him and said, "I have been hoping to see you again. I was hoping to repay you." Axel's eyes turned dim. His searching eyes made her feel nervous. Yet, she tried her best to control herself. He had eagle eyes. They were like lie detectors. Strangely enough, he actually felt that her words sounded genuine at that moment. "Tell me, then. How were you thinking of repaying me, hmm?" Axel broke into a sly smile as he moved his lips closer to her. Amber's heart thundered in her chest. A light shade of pink colored her cheeks as she bl
"It's your turn, mister..." Amber's heart skipped a beat. She was startled by Axel looking teary-eyed. His gaze was one filled with grief. His eyes looked dim, like an almost burnt-out shooting star."You've won. Good for you…"Axel smiled with his eyes as he gently pinched the top of his glass with his fingers, clinking it against hers. He continued, "I really hope that you can keep winning." Upon saying that, he finished the cognac in his glass. A trickle of the liquid spilled from his mouth, tracing the curve of his lip and descending along his impeccably sculpted jawline.Amber's eyes turned red. She felt like a buoy in the middle of the sea, floating beyond her control. She had never heard words like that said to her before. Others always required, dictated or commanded her to do things. No one had ever uttered a hopeful sentiment to her, wishing for her triumph or a future free from darkness. And that she could also have…All of a sudden, her mind went blank. She couldn't
Jasper was still waiting outside? Jonah was also astonished to hear that. Last night, it had continued to rain heavily for the better half of the night. The rain stopped, then started again this morning. An upcoming typhoon was also forecasted tonight. Jasper was just standing there without a drop of water to drink or a bite to eat. Was that how he wanted to die? "Jasper has been outside all along? Since last night? What do you mean?" Alyssa's captivating eyes were as wide as they could be. She grabbed Silas' shoulders tightly and shook him with all her might. "Spill! What in the world is going on? You have all seen Jasper, haven't you? Have you all been hiding it from me alone?" "Stop! Stop shaking me, Lyse! You're making me feel sick!" Silas felt like his entire world was spinning, and he couldn't focus his eyes."Lyse! Calm down!" Jonah hurried forward and grabbed a hold of her wrists. He pulled her into his arms. "It's Jasper's own choice, whatever he chooses to do
"There is no longer any need for you and Jasper to remain entangled with one another. He is not your benefactor. The more you insist, the more hurt you will get. You are just self-sabotaging." "Liam, listen to yourself! How could you say something like that?"Alyssa's heart wrenched, and her eyes were bloodshot. "Back then, my miscarriage was an accident! I didn't even know I was pregnant. So how could he have possibly known?"It was my own choice to keep my miscarriage a secret. It had nothing to do with Jasper! How many times do I have to repeat myself?"That being said, Liam's expression remained unchanged. He was still as frigid as before."You are still young, Lyse. There are plenty of other men out there who are better than Jasper. They can give you whatever Jasper had given you. Even if they can't, we can." "He is the only one for me! I'm warning you again, Liam, don't stand in my way. Don't make me hate you!" Alyssa was like an agitated lioness. She gritted her teeth
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
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