Surprisingly, the dinner turned out to be a peaceful meal. Winston and Alyssa seemed to have a tacit understanding of one another. Neither of them made any mention of the things that would make each other upset. "Woah! Are you all having a feast by yourselves? How could you!" Cyrus came over after being tired of strolling around the house. He was also hungry, so he sat himself down at the dining table too. "That wasn't very hospitable of you, Lyse. Why didn't you call me over when there's a feast here? I don't even have an appetite as big as Silas'. Were you afraid that I'd gobble everything up?" Winston and Alyssa looked at Cyrus. In unison, they exclaimed, "Oh! I forgot about you!"…After dinner, Winston got ready to leave. Alyssa stood on the steps as she watched Winston and Neil depart. As for Jasper, he wasn't just going to stand and watch. He walked them straight to their car. Before Winston got into the car, he paused. He stood up tall and looked at Jasper with
Winston said, "Everything else aside, there was one thing Lyse said that hurt me. She said that I had never known what her mother wished for…"Winston closed his eyes slowly. Tears moistened his long lashes, casting a sense of loneliness under the street lights. "Who else in this shitty world, other than myself, would understand her?" asked Winston. "Mr. Taylor, Ms. Alyssa is young. She hasn't experienced many of the things you've been through, so she's still ignorant." Neil let out a long sigh. "If she gets a chance to know everything about Mrs. Taylor in the future, she will come to understand your good intentions." …After Winston left, Angelina accompanied Lauren upstairs to rest. Alyssa and Cyrus sat in the living room to chat. "I wasn't the tattletale, Lyse. I swear!" Cyrus exclaimed with three of his fingers lifted. "I know. We Taylors are not such jackasses. Even Liam, who hates Jasper the most, would never use such a cheap method to pressure us via Winston." Alys
Cyrus' casual description of Landon made the tension around them rise to the roof. Landon's eyes shot wide open, and his entire body tensed up! How could he describe him like that? He hadn't been away from his home for too long. During that time, Cyrus had already come to create chaos in his house? Alyssa and Jasper had heard the ruckus at the door. They walked on over. "Cyrus? You're still here?" Alyssa, sharp-minded, noticed the standoff between Cyrus and Landon, shooting them a suspicious look."Oh, I wasn't too sure how to open this door. Mr. Landon came back just in time and opened the door for me. I'll be leaving now." Cyrus looked back and smiled brightly at Alyssa, as if nothing had just happened. "Once this busy period is over, I will take you out to have some fun. You shouldn't be stuck living with this man every day. How boring is that." Jasper stayed silent. As much as he knew that Cyrus was kidding, Jasper couldn't help but feel jealous again. Even after C
Landon swallowed hard as he felt a burning passion ignite within him. He had decided what position he wanted to make love to his delicate wife."Pervert!" Biting her red lips, Alyssa forcefully jabbed Jasper in the ribs with her elbow.The three of them took their seats back in the living hall.After a while, Lauren fell asleep watching the television. Angelina came downstairs and prepared them tea after settling Lauren down.She looked at Landon, wanting to say something, but stopped herself. She figured this wasn't the best time to report to him."I went back home." Landon lowered his head and drank his tea. His tone was low, and he sounded guilty. "Jasper, Lyse, I owe you an apology. My grandfather managed to arrange for the police to release Zoe."A cold glint instantly appeared in Jasper's eyes when he heard that name."She did something terrible, but it was not enough to convict her of it. I knew she would be released after being detained for half a month."Alyssa remain
Carl thought Jameson looked extremely cool. Jameson was carrying a mesmerizing and manly vibe to him. He was sexy. He didn't understand why Alyssa didn't fall for such an outstanding man like Jameson.Then, the target slowly moved over.When it came close enough, Carl saw Jasper's picture on the target, and Jameson's shots had made a massive hole in Jasper's head."Amazing! You are such an amazing shooter, Mr. Schmidt. You have an eagle's eye." Carl clapped as he kissed Jameson's ass."It's too bad," Jameson said as he kept his gun."Too bad?""It's just a picture and not the actual person."Jameson did not look at him. He simply took a white silk handkerchief to wipe his gun. "You were looking for me?""Mr. Schmidt, we have news about Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor had sought out Ms. Alyssa and Jasper tonight. However, he did not bring Ms. Alyssa home with him." Carl's forehead was covered in cold sweat when he finished.As he expected, Jameson's eyes turned grim. "He didn't bring Ly
The look on Jameson's face stiffened.Winston didn't confront him harshly. Yet, he felt every word that came from Winston's mouth was directed at him. A simmering anger in his heart caused his pale cheeks to burn."Uncle Winston, everything Jasper is doing is to appease and cajole Lyse."Jameson clenched his fingers tightly. His nails were digging into his palm. He was extremely hostile toward Jasper. "If he really loved Lyse, he would have been there for her during the three years of their marriage. Lyse is such a beautiful and astounding woman. She could tug the heart of any man."Yet, he had turned his back and abandoned Lyse. It shows that he wasn't genuine toward Lyse. It was never love!""It was never love?" Winston perked his eyebrow."Have you ever thought about when Jasper started falling for Lyse? It was when he realized the wife he had abandoned for three years was the daughter of the owner of the KS Group after their divorce."Everyone knows Jasper isn't born of Mr.
Winston glanced at him suspiciously. "You seem to admire Jasper a lot."Neil stayed collected. "I think you've misunderstood what I mean. I'm just stating the fact. I've watched Alyssa grow up. I care for her too and wish she would marry well.""Aren't you indirectly praising Jasper by saying that?"Neil didn't dare say anything else.Suddenly, Winston halted in his tracks and gazed out of the window. Neil, perplexed, followed his line of sight. From this vantage point, he could clearly observe the exterior of Heightsnew Villa.With anger consuming him, Jameson violently threw the food he had brought for Alyssa to the ground. Unsettled, he began stomping on it, reducing the meal to pieces."Hmm… It looks like Jameson has quite a temper." Winston sneered and left.Neil glimpsed a completely different side of Jameson. He felt Alyssa was lucky not to have chosen to be with this hypocrite.…Winston used to shoot Jasper a cold side-eye and leave him out. Jameson never expected to
But Alyssa was the love of his life. How could Jameson bear to destroy her?"Have you thought about what your next move is?" A subtle threat was woven into the man's languid voice."Sir, give me one last chance!" Jameson's face was as pale as a ghost. A sinister vibe emanated from Jameson like a demon struggling to escape hell. "Isn't your research center working on a drug that can induce heart paralysis? Could you provide me with one of those?""Hmm? What do you plan to do with that?" The man laughed mockingly. "Don't tell me you plan to use one of those on yourself."Mr. Schmidt, you are overestimating yourself. Haven't you stuck enough needles over the years? The drug hasn't passed its clinical trials yet. The risk is huge.""I know. But this is my only shot. I want to bet everything on it." Jameson's eyes were bloodshot. He was no longer thinking straight.The man sighed, "You still have so many years ahead of you and many other opportunities. Everything you do now is merel
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