Alyssa continued, "Victor's sudden hospitalization may not be due to illness. It might just be a move to avoid trouble."Jasper nodded in agreement. "Once the prosecutor initiates the investigation process and summons Victor, he can claim illness to avoid interrogation.""Damn it! He's really cunning," Landon cursed angrily."Landon, what does 'threesome' mean?" Lauren asked, blinking her innocent eyes.Lauren was really good at catching the critical point. The three of them fell into a momentary silence.Landon awkwardly cleared his throat, pinching Lauren's cheek. "Uh... When we get back to the room, I'll slowly explain it to you."After a while, the news report concluded.The Schmidt family's affairs consumed a significant amount of time, catering to their flamboyant and high-profile personalities."They're really despicable... How can they force women to do such things?" Lauren's eyes turned red with anger. "The police officers must arrest them all! They must bring justice
Alyssa held onto Jasper's muscular arm, confidently raising her eyebrows. "As long as we don't take any further actions and maintain a low profile, Jamiper will be unable to contain himself and will find a way to deal with David."…The next day, when the stock market opened, Schmidt Group's stock prices showed a decline, as expected. The drop was so quick that it was a heart-wrenching sight.As the Clemons couple's legal battles unfolded, Schmidt Group's reputation took a nosedive, and the entire company began to display indications of internal turmoil.Victor continued his hospitalization on the third day while Josh was called in by the prosecutor.On the fourth day, Winston was cornered by the media when attending a meeting. He was asked about his views on the Schmidt family."Mr. Taylor, we heard that you have a close relationship with Mr. Victor. What's your opinion on the Schmidt family's recent situation?"Winston's expression was cold, and he responded indifferently, "Mr
Daisy's face was twisted with a hideous expression. She stared fixedly at Jameson's delicate yet detestable face."Help me? Haha! They're animals! But Jameson, aren't you one as well? Yes... You're worse. You're a damn viper. You're even more vicious!"Jameson showed no signs of anger. Instead, his smile deepened. "I may not be a saint, but even beasts show some affection for their offspring. I have always been reluctant to be too harsh on my family. So, I want to help you, Daisy."Also, besides me, who else cares about you? In this place where not even a glimpse of daylight is visible, do you believe people regard you as a member of the Schmidt family?"Seeing Daisy's strong resistance to his so-called "help", Jameson dealt a lethal blow."Daisy, think carefully. Your current miserable situation is all because of whom?"Daisy's anger surged. She shouted hysterically, "It's the Taylor family! They're retaliating against me. That bitch Alyssa is definitely involved!"Jameson smir
Carl tentatively asked, "Mr. Schmidt, will that crazy bitch... work with you?""I've stepped in. How could it not work?" Jameson raised his eyebrows arrogantly."Then let me congratulate you for removing another nuisance in advance."Carl smiled with utmost sincerity. "Once David falls, Josh will be an easy target. By then, Victor will have no one to rely on other than you. The entire Schmidt family will be yours.""I hope so."Squinting his eyes, Jameson raised his hand toward the vast black sky, and a complex emotion surged in his gaze. "I was given a second life. I just hope not to disappoint his expectations.""By the way, Mr. Schmidt, I just received news that your private plane is ready.""Although it took quite some time, it was worth the wait."Jameson lightly pushed his gold-rimmed glasses, a glint of coldness crossing his eyes. "Contact Inigo and tell him everything is ready. He and his brothers can hit the road anytime."…Jameson's luxury car moved steadily in the
It was Alyssa and Jasper!It was hard to imagine the proud and noble billionaire Jasper Beckett indulging in street food at night, all in the name of love. His typical diet of refined carbohydrates had been replaced with hearty suppers. His mouth even bore traces of grease from the fried foods Alyssa had given him.Any sane person would be astounded by this sight!"Does it taste good?" Alyssa was beaming widely. She gently wiped Jasper's mouth with a napkin.Jasper pecked her on the lips the moment his mouth was wiped clean. "It tastes wonderful. Any meal I share with you is delicious."His voice rang out loud, making Alyssa blush shyly. Even the old woman sitting across from them chuckled upon hearing Jasper's words.Jasper and Alyssa appeared nothing short of a match made in heaven. They were so in love with one another. Who wouldn't be delighted at the sight?"Tsk! It looks like you only think the food is good because you're trying to appease me." Alyssa pouted. "You can just
Jasper's eyes widened slightly as a jolt ran through his entire being. He wrapped a warm hand around Alyssa's nape and deepened their kiss uncontrollably.The stall owner turned around to clear some dishes. She didn't want to intrude on such an intimate moment.Meanwhile, Jameson bore witness to this tender kiss between Alyssa and Jasper. His heart and body felt like they were being ripped to shreds. Pain and anguish filled his chest.Carl sullenly sighed upon seeing the same thing Jameson saw.One could attain anything through effort and calculation, except for love.Jameson had given Alyssa his all and tried his best, yet Alyssa still returned to Jasper without a shred of care.What a waste of effort!Alyssa gently withdrew her lips from Jasper's, a spark of desire in her eyes. Her voice was somewhat strained. "You've… suffered a lot, Jasper. It's a good thing that the past is behind us now. From now on, only good times await us.""Every single day spent with you by my side m
But Josh didn't even get a chance to change his clothes before Victor called him over to the hospital.After learning that the Schmidt Group's assets had depreciated by two billion dollars in value, Victor had thoroughly "refurbished" the VIP ward he was staying in. It was better demolition work than most people could accomplish.Money wasn't the most important thing right now. What was important was that the recent wave of negative news had impacted one of Schmidt Group's big projects in Kontina, forcing them to stop operations. The Kontinian authorities even wanted to investigate Schmidt Group's financial status thoroughly. This was the greatest blow to the company."Please calm down, Dad. Don't overexert yourself." Josh's voice was weak. His greasy hair and stubbled chin gave him a disheveled look. "We can always earn back the money, but if we don't properly handle the crisis our company is facing now, it will surely impact the family.""Earn back the money? Easy for you to sa
Josh fumed silently, his expression dark as midnight.Josh had been raised by his father to become heir to their family since he was a child. He had never been so insulted in all his years of doing whatever he pleased!"You scoundrel, Jameson Schmidt!" muttered Josh under his breath. Victor asked anxiously, "Since you have a plan already, when do you intend to set it into motion, Jameson?" "I can help you clear the obstacles for the project right now. But what capacity would I be doing this in?" Jameson sighed. "I have no shares in the company, which isn't a big deal, but I don't even have a position. How do I introduce myself when I go meet the Kontinian officials? Do I tell them that I'm the fourth son of the Schmidt family?""That's easy to settle!" Victor clapped Jameson's shoulder and said, "I'll draft an official resolution tomorrow to make you managing director of the company. You'll be able to participate in the board meetings from now on! If you can get our project in K
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