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
Axel let go of his complicated feelings about Alyssa and Jasper's relationship when he saw them very much in love.All he and his brothers wanted was to see Alyssa happy, and he realized that only she had the right to define her happiness.After going through ups and downs, she still chose to be with Jasper. Axel believed it'd be unfair and cruel to deprive her of a happy relationship."Jameson Schmidt has been manipulating Zoe, but she didn't rat him out even when we pressured her at the Jesseltons' event." Looking troubled, Jasper opined, "I believe this has nothing to do with her loyalty to Jameson. She is truly in the dark about the mastermind's identity."Alyssa nodded in agreement. Landon, fuming, rolled his fists and apologized, "Jasper, Lyse, I'm sorry. I take responsibility for her mistakes. My mom and I have spoiled her rotten.""Landon, don't. This has nothing to do with you," Jasper consoled him."How could she allow herself to be manipulated by that bastard?" Landon
Landon put on a bitter face. That certainly did not sound like a compliment. He regretted his playboy ways in the past. Even after he had turned over a new leaf, it was difficult to shake off that reputation."I checked the Third Eye. Jameson Schmidt is indeed the owner of The Millennium." Axel furrowed his brows. "He frequents the club and is very closely connected with officials in Solana City. The Millennium is, at best, a prostitution hub for the wealthy and powerful disguised as a club. I guess Jameson is the pimp.""The Third Eye? Are you serious? Why did you use the system of the Secret Intelligence Service?" Alyssa widened her eyes in disbelief. "That's an overkill. Axel, you shouldn't risk your career just to investigate Jameson.""It's worth it if it's for you." Axel squinted and held her hand. "Don't worry. It's fine to use the system once in a while. Besides, I would love to move on from Jameson Schmidt. I'll settle him as soon as possible for you and Jasper."Jasper wa
Jasper was reasonably worried. "She's failed her last mission. She might try again. After all, she's still working for Jameson. We don't know what tricks she'll pull next time."Axel snorted with a maniacal smile. "Hmph, no one could kill me."…Excruciating screams reverberated from the damp basement of The Millennium. Even Jameson's men winced as they stood guard at the door.Inside, a gory scene unfolded. Amber was chained by the wrists and hanging from the ceiling. Her frail figure was covered only by a thin lace nightdress, the white fabric soaked in blood.Once Jameson was tired from the whipping, he turned around and rested on the couch. He tossed the whip to Carl and downed a glass of red wine.Carl held the whip with trembling hands. "M-Mr. Schmidt, I…""Why? Can't bring yourself to whip her?" Jameson snickered maliciously. Behind his blood-stained glasses hid his eyes with a chilling gleam. "Do you want to end up like her?"Carl had no choice but to bite the bullet an
Jameson spoke, "So, have you found a man who cares for you?"His sarcastic grin pierced through her heart. "Do you think Axel Whiteaker loves you just because you've slept with him? Do you think he cares for you just because he gave you a box of gastric medication?"Letting go of her neck, he jabbed her on the forehead. "I thought you were smart despite your lowly background, but now, I realize you are useless. Giving you plastic surgery to look like Alyssa is an insult to her beauty."The man she had loved for a decade had become a total stranger to her. Tears of heartbreak streamed down her cheek, but Jameson was oblivious to her suffering. "Don't be delusional. I know the Taylors well. "They're just like me—they only have eyes for Lyse. You're from a lowly background, not least having worked for me. Do you think Axel would fall for you? He'll only kill you off when he learns about your identity."He took out a silk handkerchief from his pocket and leisurely cleaned the blood
The caller chuckled. "Oh, what will you do, Mr. Schmidt? Your fiancée seems intent on putting you in trouble.""It's all worth it, even if she hates me." Jameson adjusted his glasses with an unreadable expression in his eyes."When are you going to get rid of Inigo? You'll be done for if he falls into Alyssa and Jasper's hands.""I bought a new private jet. It'll be delivered next week," Jameson replied with a chilling smile. "I'll send him and his sworn brothers on a trip to the afterlife with that jet."…After a brief catchup with Alyssa, Axel excused himself early, as he had to meet with Jonah and the rest.Meanwhile, Alyssa looked a little messy after a day of traveling. Although she had changed into fresh pajamas, her hair was soiled. As a clean freak, she couldn't accept it."Ugh! It's smelly!" She sniffed her hair in disgust. "I can't. I feel like I've just gotten out of the mud. I need a shower.""No, you're not smelly at all." Jasper pulled her into a hug and buried h
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
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