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
Why didn't she tell him? Why? Jasper repeatedly tortured himself with the same questions ever since he learned the truth.Had he known she was pregnant with his child and subsequently suffered a miscarriage, he might have acted differently."Jasper, please stop blaming yourself. You're not the only one at fault for failing to protect our baby. As the mother, I am at fault, too." She blinked and flashed a carefree smile at him, which only added to his heartache. She continued, "Even if you made it back on time on that day, there was nothing much you could do about the car accident. I'm thankful that Grandpa was safe, or else I'd feel guilty about it for the rest of my life."Tears brimmed in his eyes. Staring at her through tears, he felt his throat going dry. He croaked, "You had many opportunities to tell me about it afterward, but why did you keep it to yourself?"Lowering her gaze, she retreated into the bathwater, appearing somewhat pitiable. "You were busy with work all the
"What happened?" The look in Jasper's eyes hardened. He silently met Alyssa's eyes."Just now, Victor and Josh Schmidt bailed him out from the police station. Not only that, they brought along a group of reporters with them."Josh shamelessly cleared David's name in front of the media, claiming that someone had framed David. He said it was all a misunderstanding." Xavier's voice broke due to his rage."Fuck! How did that happen?" Alyssa jumped up from the bed. Jasper went pale and hurriedly pinned her back onto the bed. "Lyse, be careful! You don't want the needle to come off.""How is that possible? That fucking pervert couldn't have been released from the police station." Alyssa grabbed the phone and yelled at Xavier in panic, "Jasper and I have made the arrangements. Winston knew about this as well. Knowing how much he cares for Taty, there's no way he would allow the Schmidts to do so. Why didn't he stop them?""M-Madam, please calm down," Xavier croaked, his throat dry from t
Jasper's brief response was enough to prove the depth of his love for Alyssa.By then, Jonah and Alyssa had reconciled. After all, Jonah was as important as Jasper to Alyssa. It pained her to be angry at Jonah. All she desired was to fight against the Taylor family's control."But Jonah, why has David Schmidt been released on bail? Why hasn't Winston taken any action?" She was worried."That's the reason I called." Taking a deep breath, Jonah gritted his teeth and revealed, "Lyla discussed with Dad and decided to withdraw the lawsuit in consideration of Tatiana and the family's reputation.""They're dropping the lawsuit?" Alyssa and Jasper were astonished to hear that."Yes. Otherwise, David wouldn't have been released." Jonah sounded frustrated. "On top of that, the Schmidts had paid off the media to vindicate their son and portray him as the victim."Even if we wanted to take action, we can't do anything now that we've legally withdrawn the lawsuit.""Is Winston senile? How co
Even without Jasper's presence, he was confident that the Taylors and the rescue team would have been able to save Alyssa. It became clear what the person manipulating Remy had been aiming for.But why had Remy let Jasper go at that crucial moment? Had he experienced a sudden change of heart? Or was he, in fact, Alyssa's brother, Damien?Jasper's mind filled with all kinds of thoughts. Before he could dwell too deeply, there was a knock at the door. Xavier hurried over to open it, freezing in shock when he saw who stood outside. "Mr. Winston?"Winston was leaning on Silas for support, his expression grim. "Mr. Beckett is in there, isn't he? May I have a word with him?" Xavier quickly stepped aside, gesturing for Winston and Silas to enter.When he saw the elder he respected standing at the door, Jasper struggled to rise from the bed despite his exhaustion. "Mr. Winston…" "You are wounded. Stay put!" Winston insisted, swiftly moving forward to gently press Jasper back down
"Next time? There won't be a next time."Tears flowed down Alyssa's face, soaking Jasper's shirt with each drop. Her voice was quiet but steady, carrying the weight of her heartache. "Jasper… I'm drained. Sometimes, I think it might be better if you just forgot about me. It would be easier than this. Every time I let myself hope, all I get in return is disappointment."Jasper's chest tightened as her calm words pierced through him. Waves of emotion surged inside him, and a lump rose painfully in his throat.…It was fortunate that Jasper had found Alyssa in time to administer first aid. After rushing her to the ER, she slipped into unconsciousness. That being said, she was extremely lucky to have escaped death. Nevertheless, she needed to remain in the ICU for further observation. Aside from treating her frostbite, the doctors needed to assess whether her internal organs or brain had been affected.With the severity of Alyssa's condition, Sean couldn't keep the truth from Winsto
"Jas…"Alyssa looked at Jasper with an unfocused gaze. Her breaths were shallow, and she was slipping in and out of consciousness. Mentally, she was confused. "Yes, it's me—Jasper!"Jasper's heart clenched as he saw the color drain from her face. Her body trembled uncontrollably, fragile as a leaf caught in the wind. She resembled the kitten he had saved as a child—frozen and alone in the alley that bitter winter night. A deep sorrow flooded his chest."Jas… per…" Alyssa murmured his name, her voice strained, her tongue numb from the cold.A faint, mocking smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "It seems… like I am about… to freeze to death… How could he be here… He will not come back… He doesn't want me anymore…" Alyssa's vision blurred as her eyelids grew heavy. She began to lean, her body sagging to one side."Alyssa! Stay awake!" Jasper's heart was pierced, the pain unbearable as he saw the denial in her eyes. He forced himself to pu
Elias frowned deeply; his worry etched onto his face. "We've been shouting Ms. Alyssa's name the whole way. With so many of us calling out, she should've heard us by now if she were nearby!"In a deep voice, Jasper said, "The wind is too strong, and then there's the heavy snowfall. Our voices are being drowned out. Lyse might not hear us at all."Lyse. Her nickname slipped from his lips before he even realized it."I'm just afraid she's injured—or worse, fainted. If she blacks out in this cold…" Elias trailed off, his voice heavy with dread. "On a day like this, she won't survive long. She'll freeze to death."The group exchanged uneasy glances, the reality of his words tightening their chests.It wasn't that Elias was being a doomsayer. Rather, this was the cruel reality that might actually happen. Crater Mountain claimed lives every year. Danger lurked unpredictably in the woods on the mountain—anything could unfold."Let's split up," Jasper commanded, his eyes fixed on t
The snow was falling heavily, and the chilling winds howled through the night.Remy had no car, so he trudged through the snow alone, each step more exhausting than the last.His thoughts were consumed with Alyssa—was she still alive? In danger? And Jasper's unrelenting resolve to reach her, even after being shot and drenched in blood.Remy pressed his calloused, trembling hand to his chest. His heart hammered in his ribcage erratically.A sharp, searing pain shot through his temples, blurring his vision. He collapsed to his knees in the snow, his body racked with agony. The pain surged deep within him, and his eyes felt like they were going to burst from their sockets. It was unbearable.His breath came in ragged gasps. His hands scrambled for the necklace hanging from his neck—inside it was a hidden medicine box.Justin had told him that the medication in there could calm him down and relieve him of any pain. It would be able to save his life. But in his desperate haste, the
As subtle as Remy's expressions were, Jasper still noticed them. A slight twinkle flashed across his eyes. He did not have the time to continue entertaining Remy. He clenched his teeth, turned around, and started running toward Crater Mountain. Nevertheless, he had barely taken a few steps when gunshots were fired at his feet. Even so, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead and did not stop. Just then, another gunshot rang out. It wasn't until a bullet hit him in his right shoulder that the pain caused him to stumble. He almost fell to the ground but forced himself to stay on his feet. It was fortunate that he was shot in his right shoulder this time. After all, his left shoulder could not be injured any further. Otherwise, his left shoulder would be left in complete disability."If you take another step, the next shot will be in your left leg," Remy warned mockingly. Yet, his gaze was firm and fiery. "Jasper, I don't suppose you want to end up like your older brother, living in
A chill went down Jasper's spine. At that moment, staring down the barrel of the gun, one thought consumed him. It was the only thought that mattered—he had to stay alive to meet Alyssa!Jasper's mind raced. His gun was hidden under the driver's seat of his usual car, but today, he had taken a different sports car—one that wasn't equipped with a weapon. Panic gripped him for a split second before his instincts kicked in.The soldier within him stirred. Without warning, he jerked the steering wheel, ramming his car into Remy's.One of Remy's headlights was taken out and left rolling across the snow. All of a sudden, this prideful man was overwhelmed with anger. His eyes reddened with a strong sense of competitiveness, compelling him to pull the trigger. A shot rang out. The bullet sliced through the cold air, shattering Jasper's car window.From the very beginning, Remy hadn't intended to take Jasper's life. All Justin told him to do was to stop Jasper from meeting with Alys
"Jasper, you are such a jerk. If anything bad happens to Ms. Alyssa, you will surely regret it. You will live in regret your entire life!" Sean yelled. …The temperature tonight was -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The snowstorm in the woods on the mountain was getting stronger and stronger. The winds were freezing and bone-piercing as they blew against Alyssa's face. Trees swayed dramatically in the screeching winds, creating an inexplicable creepy atmosphere that added a feeling of desolation to Alyssa's sorrowful and depressive mood. She braved the bone-piercing winds and faced the heavy snowfall. With the help of her trekking pole, she plodded forward one step at a time. She did not have a destination in mind. She did not know where she was heading. Her heart had shattered, and she was beside herself. The decreasing temperatures discouraged her and made her lose all her motivation. For someone who had lost their willpower, being in the woods under extreme weather conditions wa
"Mr. Jasper, why do you say so?" Sheryl lifted her head and looked into Jasper's reddened eyes. She furrowed her brows and laughed out loud. "White Dove is from Solana City. This is also something that I wasn't able to predict. If I had known, I wouldn't have gotten you to make a trip here in vain, would I?" Sheryl was no longer that conniving bitch who used to act coy. Now, she had a powerful person backing her up. Jasper's violent rage did not scare her at all. "Why the hell didn't you say anything earlier?" Xavier marched forward furiously. He was even more inclined to serve her a slap. "Did you know that Mr. Beckett had an important date with Madam today? He only rushed her because of your stupid lead! Right now, you're telling us that White Dove isn't in Skydon but Solana City? What the heck are you scheming? Were you trying to ruin Mr. Beckett and Madam's date intentionally?" "Madam? Haven't Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa broken up? Is it right for you to be referring to her