Jasper's men arrived right after him. Each with a flashlight in hand, they spread out and began their search for Alyssa.Jasper sprinted through the heavy rain, indifferent to the fact that his pants and shoes were covered in dirt. His blood-red eyes were brimming with concern."Slow down, Mr. Beckett! Watch your step!" Xavier stumbled along behind Jasper with much difficulty. He was befuddled. What the hell happened? Why was Alyssa at this terrible place on her own? …Alyssa took care of the four perverts. She beat them up till they were on their knees, begging for their lives. But it was also because of this that she had expended all her energy. She barely managed to keep herself together even as she forced herself to stay conscious. She had swiped one of the men's cell phones and got back in the rain. She continued walking forward blindly. At the same time, she was also afraid that the men would not be satisfied that they had lost and come after her. So, she didn't dare
Alyssa raised her gaze slightly as she grasped his sweaty hands weakly. "If I go to the hospital… My brother will find me soon and bring me back with them. Jasper, I don't want to go back. I want to be with you."Jasper choked achingly, "But, you have a high fever. It will damage your body.""It's okay. I just need to take some medication…"Following her utterance, Alyssa closed her eyes once again and slipped into unconsciousness.…The villa was serene during the wee hours of the morning. Lauren was sleeping soundly on her bed.Next door to her was Landon. He didn't go to the study. Instead, he brought his documents to his bedroom. This way, he could look after his wife without delaying his business.He had entered the core of the Harper Group and was extremely busy. Preston had handed a few projects to him. Landon had long stopped being a rich and free boy. He was now a very busy man.In the past, he didn't understand when Jasper said he was exhausted. Sitting around thinkin
Elope…Jasper stared at Alyssa's pale and haggard countenance. His heart ached even more."I want to spend the rest of my life with Lyse. But Landon, I can't be so selfish. Lyse's family is different from me. I can abandon everything for her. Do you think I can sit with the idea of her abandoning her family for me? Will she be happy without her family's blessing and presence?"Jasper shook his head in agony. He repeated hoarsely, "I've taken away too much from her. I've almost ruined her in the process. Landon, I don't want to hurt her again. She can't lose anything else. That can't happen.""These are all your assumptions. Have you asked what Lyse wants?"Landon could read the room. He frowned. "It's raining cats and dogs tonight. Lyse must have suffered a lot to be with you."Family is important, but Lyse cares more for you and wants to be with you. If you were to give her your version of happily-ever-after and force yourself to let go, something more dangerous might have happe
Alyssa's feet were now adorned with wounds, streaks of blood, and dried-up residue. His heart was on the verge of shattering as he witnessed it."Lyse, I want to make you happy, but look at what I've brought you."Closing his eyes, Jasper drew in a deep, audible breath, struggling to hide the tightness in his hoarse throat.Suddenly, his phone vibrated. It was a call from Ben.Jasper rubbed his eyes as he stood up and went to the window to answer it. "Mr. Gorham, how is Grandpa doing?""Mr. Newton is doing well. He misses Ms. Alyssa a lot, so he sleeps very late. Mr. Jasper, have you found Ms. Alyssa? Mr. Newton asked about her before he went to bed." Ben sounded worried."I've found her. Tell Grandpa not to worry anymore when he wakes up. I will be by her side."However, he didn't know how long he still had with her."I'm sorry, Mr. Jasper…"Ben felt guilty. He uttered with difficulty, "It's my fault. If I had told you earlier about Ms. Alyssa's miscarriage, things wouldn't h
Jasper's face turned pale. "Lyse…""I'm joking. Look at you." Alyssa pinched his face again. Jasper appeared so gaunt. Her heart ached. "You're so skinny now. Are you trying to upset me?"Jasper's face still bore the remnants of mottled tears from the night before. He tightly interlaced his fingers with hers, not speaking a single word.He contemplated again. Then, he decided not to mention it anymore and covered Alyssa's lips with a sweet, long, and deep kiss.He remembered the pain and suffering she went through. He promised himself that he would break a bone and use the rest of his life to repay her.…Upon waking up, Lauren was informed that Jasper and Alyssa were there. An excited smile adorned her beautiful and elegant face.She wanted to see Alyssa, but Landon hugged her from behind to stop her. "Darling, let's give Alyssa and Jasper some alone time. They had gone through a lot.""Hmm… But I miss Alyssa so much." Lauren's eyes welled up with tears as she was filled with
Landon's hair stood on end at Axel's arrival.He was known to be a living Hades. Landon thought he was a goner to encounter Axel. Plus, he was Alyssa's brother, so he didn't dare make a move."I'm sorry, Mr. Harper…" Angelina heaved a heavy sigh as she looked at Landon, her eyes filled with self-blame.Landon swallowed hard and said anxiously, "Stop it! For someone of your status, you shouldn't lay your hands on a woman. It's distasteful.""So, I'm supposed to stand here and let this woman beat me up, huh?"Axel yawned lazily, "Am I that dumb?"One sentence from Axel sent Landon off the roof.He understood Angelina's nature and her skill level. Once she chose to follow him, her loyalty was unwavering. She would fight with all her might if anyone dared to offend Landon."But, you're right. I won't lay my hands on a woman."Axel nonchalantly let go. He arrogantly perked his eyebrow. "Babe, consider yourself a lucky woman. Otherwise, I would have fucked you.""Bastard!" Angelina
However, no matter how hard Lauren tried, Axel was faster than her. Axel stopped the door.Lauren had exerted all her strength but still failed to close the gap.Axel used to be close with Alyssa, but now it seemed as if she regarded him as a monster. He observed her fear and guarded demeanor. He sighed deeply, furrowed his brow, and let out a wry laugh."Don't hide from me, Lyse. I'm not here to take you back."Jasper's gaze wavered. Alyssa was equally shocked. "Huh? Axel, what are you…""I've never wanted to separate both of you."Axel had observed the struggles of this couple trying to stay together despite facing numerous hardships. He had always felt uneasy. "I sought you out to ensure your safety, to see that you're healthy and unharmed. Don't be afraid."Axel's assurance hit Alyssa's heart.Jasper was deeply moved, feeling a lump forming in his throat. He tightly pursed his lips. Things had progressed to a point he never anticipated—someone from Alyssa's family was on
Landon was equally excited at the news, but he had Angelina bring Lauren back to the room as he wanted to protect Lauren.Jasper sat on the couch with an arm around Alyssa, listening intently to Axel's story about his exchange with Amber.Axel told them everything from Amber hiding a weapon and her failed attempt at seducing him. However, he left out the details about the sudden kiss Amber planted on his lips. The kiss had sent a jolt across his body. As she went deeper into the kiss, she wept, much to his confusion. He wondered why an assassin would weep in front of her victim."What the hell? That was pretty crazy!" Landon was intrigued by the incident and gasped, "Did that happen in modern society? It sounds like something from a story!"Axel shot him a disdainful look and muttered under his breath, "Idiot."Landon picked that up, but he chose to overlook it, knowing that he could never win a fight against Axel. Moreover, he couldn't afford to upset Alyssa's brother and Jaspe
"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