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
That night, the news about David's arrest shook the entire country. As expected, Daisy made use of this more impactful news to push her ranking down from the trending searches. However, the most pitiful news was still none other than the ones about the Schmidts. Following the revelation of the incident involving the Schmidt siblings, the Schmidt Group found itself backed into a corner. Aside from David's arrest, he had even exposed himself indecently for the whole country to see! Even his grandfather, Thomas Schmidt, would likely be turning in his grave! After watching the live news, Victor's heart couldn't endure it. His face lost color, and he staggered backward."Dad!" Josh rushed forward to catch Victor. However, Jameson managed to get there ahead of him as he was nearer to Victor. "Hurry up and take a seat, Dad. Deep breaths." Jameson helped Victor to the sofa to sit. He turned around and cast an anxious gaze at Josh. "What are you still standing there for, Josh? Get th
Jameson said, "What I want is Dad's recognition and to be promoted rightfully. I don't want to be the target of people's gossip saying that I am a usurper."Jameson tilted his chin up slightly. He let out a proud smile as he said, "The most important thing to Josh is his position as the president. "If I can drag him down from his position and trample all over him, it would be the most ruthless revenge that I can take against him." Carl was genuinely happy for Jameson. He laughed, "Mr. Victor has started to despise Josh. It won't be very long until that day comes!"Jameson closed his eyes. A wave of bitterness rose in his heart. "Winston has always had his reservations about Lyse and I. Even though he didn't mention it explicitly, I know that he doesn't like that I don't have any status or shares in the Schmidt Group. He doesn't feel at peace to leave Lyse in my care. "That is why I must take over the Schmidt Group as soon as possible. Then, I will draw a line between myself a
Lauren covered her mouth with her hand. What did she just do?Ever since Landon got together with her, he had never touched any other woman. So, how could she touch another man? Was she… Was she dirty now? Did she betray Landon? "I'm… I'm sorry…" After being at a loss for words, she could only apologize. However, she wasn't sure if her apology was meant for Cyrus or Landon. "What are you sorry for, Ms. Lauren? I should be the one to apologize to you. I have been so busy that I haven't showered in three days. I'm sorry if I stink." Cyrus smiled. He noted that Lauren looked naively cute. "Madam Lauren!"Upon hearing some commotion, Angelina hurried over. She was also surprised to see Cyrus. "Mr. Cyrus?" Cyrus normally had a low profile. There were only a handful of people who knew of him. Angelina knew Cyrus only because Landon had mentioned him. Otherwise, the awkward situation when Axel visited might have been repeated. Cyrus peered inside. "Are Lyse and Jasper at home?
Cyrus looked toward Angelina, and she returned his gaze. Angelina became even more upset. She questioned Cyrus in a low voice, "Were you the one who invited Mr. Taylor over?" Cyrus widened his eyes. With an innocent look on his face, he answered in a serious tone, "Are you pointing your fingers at me? I might be Winston's son, but I am not a traitor. My loyalty lies with Lyse!" Angelina couldn't help but be amused by his quick-witted response. She whispered, "What should we do? Should I open the door?" Cyrus put his hands in his pockets and scoffed. "If you don't open the door, my Dad will kick the door down." Angelina was speechless. She didn't dare to keep their big-shot guest waiting. She took a deep breath, then opened the door. At that moment, the Taylor family's bodyguards filled the entire yard of their manor in a sea of black. Their presence was overbearing. Winston was standing at the door with a frigid look on his face. Neil was behind him. Before making his
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