It was already past midnight when they arranged everything.For the sake of Maggie's safety, Alyssa had intended for Maggie to live in her own house starting today until the case against David Schmidt ended. For one, Maggie could be protected. Secondly, Alyssa genuinely adored this unfortunate yet strong, young girl.But Maggie insisted on going back home because of her mother's heart condition. She was worried her mother might get a heart attack if she woke up from her sleep and did not see Maggie anywhere, not to mention what might happen if her mother knew that Maggie had come to speak to them.It was a good thing Maggie's mother hadn't contacted her that night. She must still be sleeping. It was as if the heavens itself supported this strong, young girl's decision, too.Xavier escorted Maggie to the car, treating her with utmost care throughout the process as if he had turned a new leaf.Jasper walked out of the villa with Alyssa in his arms. He wiped away her tears and wrappe
Maggie cried some more once she returned home, having revealed so much of her painful past to Alyssa all at once. She ended up falling asleep and only waking up in the afternoon the next day. Her mother had gone to work already. Maggie struggled to get out of bed. She really didn't feel like going out, so she called the shopowner of the tailor shop she used to work at to order some fabrics. She planned to start making a bag for Xavier.In all honesty, if it was someone else who'd asked Maggie to do this, she wouldn't have actually gone through with it.But Xavier's eyes had been so bright and his tone so earnest when he asked. Maggie couldn't help but want to finish making it for him as fast as she could.The tailor shop owner called Maggie in the evening and informed her that he'd sent a runner to drop off the fabrics. The runner was about to reach her home.Maggie thanked the shop owner profusely and patiently waited.Sometime later, someone knocked on her door.Maggie was ea
In the dingy old neighborhood, several police cars and an ambulance converged. The local residents looked on cautiously, having heard that there had been a break-and-entering.Worried, Cyrus had his men send the killer back to the station before going to the hospital in the ambulance with Xavier and Maggie. Cyrus also notified Alyssa and Jasper of what happened.The medics had strapped an oxygen mask on Maggie's face. Her body had passed out from shock after being asphyxiated. Now that the blood had stopped rushing to her face, her skin appeared stark white."You… You have to be okay, Maggie," Xavier said worriedly. He could care less about how injured he was right now. He kept on checking up on Maggie's condition, holding onto her hand."Her vitals have stabilized, so there's no need to worry anymore," Cyrus consoled him. He could tell that Xavier's concern for Maggie extended beyond her role as a key witness in the case against David Schmidt."Why… Why were you guys on the scene
Xavier pondered inwardly, "If 'Blade' himself is admitting that his skills aren't as good as Alyssa's… Just how skilled is Alyssa?"…Alyssa and Jasper had hurried over to Taylor General Hospital the moment they heard the news.Maggie was stabilized in time and transferred to a normal ward for recovery. Meanwhile, Xavier was arranged to stay in the next ward. He wasn't too injured save for some bruises and a fractured left arm.But Xavier was in no mood to stay put and rest. The moment they secured the bones in his arm, he ran over to check up on Maggie.The hospital staff let Jasper and Alyssa take over while Cyrus returned to the police station to deal with the murderous killer.Abel was personally checking up on Maggie right now."Don't worry, Lyse. No matter what, Maggie is fine now. That's the best thing we could hope for," Jasper consoled Alyssa, who leaned in his arms as he gently held her.Alyssa gazed at Maggie with reddened eyes. Guilt filled her chest. "Thank goodnes
"Throughout the execution of our plans, we were vigilant, and no information slipped out." Jasper's eyes darkened. He continued, "Looks like the Schmidt family has set up spies near the witnesses' homes to watch their every move. When they found out we'd sought Maggie out, they feared she might participate in the case as a witness. That was why they wanted to end her life so quickly.""Damn them!" Alyssa and Xavier said at the same time."David is still in police custody, so there's no way he could have had any external contact. Who helped him then? Jamebitch?" Xavier exclaimed hatefully.Alyssa shook her head lightly. "No way it was Jamiper. He's the one person in the entire Schmidt family who wants to see everyone crash and burn. He would never help David. It must've been either Victor or Josh.""Josh. It must be Josh," Jasper deduced, eyes sharp.Alyssa's eyes glinted. She held Jasper's hand. "Why do you think it's him, Jasper?""Victor isn't from the underworld. He's not th
Jasper's heart sank. Looking at Alyssa, he announced, "Lyse, I'll meet with them."He was worried about the gossip and malicious comments about Alyssa. Her reputation would further suffer if she got into a fight with the witnesses' families at a hospital.Jasper was totally capable of managing the fallout if he were the target. However, he refused to let Alyssa go through the suffering."Jasper, I understand your concern," Clasping his hand, she soothed him, "...but they wanted to see me. Things wouldn't have spiraled if I hadn't requested to meet with Maggie."It's imperative that I show up and offer my apology. You know me; I never run away from problems.""Well, I happen to be the same." Staring affectionately at her, Jasper held her hands with fingers interlocked. "So, I'll go with you."…Although the VIP suite, where Maggie got warded, was safe and secure, Sean had arranged for his men to lead the victims' families to the open area in the VIP lounge, just in case they made
"I was aware. I knew it from the beginning. But what choice did I have?" Gina trembled violently as she grew hysterical. "I'd rather sweep everything under the rug than open up my daughter's wound and put her in harm's way."She's just managed to get a footing, and things were looking up, but you came along and messed it all up! She nearly lost her life because of you—you arrogant, wealthy pricks who judge us from the comforts of life. What gives you the right?"Alyssa felt a stinging pain in her chest. With her usual sharp wit, she could have retorted. However, the weight of guilt left her speechless."You're being naïve." Jasper, keeping his composure, placed his hand on Alyssa's waist. He appeared as omniscient as divinity. "You're currently enjoying a short-lived peace because the Schmidt Group is in hot water. The Schmidts are too preoccupied to pay attention to you, especially with David Schmidt still in detention."Gina's expression froze. Her bloodshot eyes looked vacant.
Maggie finally regained consciousness the next afternoon. She found Gina and Xavier waiting by her bed. Feeling touched, she wrapped Gina in an embrace. The mother and daughter cried and cried after the close brush with death yesterday.Xavier thought he must be feeling emotional because he was getting old. He shed a few tears but quickly wiped them away. As an uncle figure to Maggie, he resolved to keep a tough exterior."Mom, I won't change my mind no matter what you say." Maggie gently wiped away Gina's tears with a look of determination. "I have decided to testify in court. No one could help me if I don't fight for myself; not even Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett."Sobbing, Gina confessed, "Maggie, I… I feel so bad for you.""Mom, do not stop me from testifying if you feel bad for me. I'm doing this to seek justice on behalf of the victims of David Schmidt."Xavier's eyes wavered upon hearing Maggie's declaration. His heart pounding, he found that Maggie seemed to have grown up ove
"Mr. Lexington," the doctor greeted respectfully, lowering his head slightly. Everyone at the base knew who Sheryl and Remy were. They were the ones in charge, the decision-makers. So, everyone obeyed their orders without question. To the staff unaware of the facility's true purpose, Sheryl and Remy stood at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. Unbeknownst to them, someone more powerful lurked in the shadows."How has she been these past few days?" Remy asked, his expression unreadable."She's had some adverse reactions, but there are no signs of organ failure yet. Honestly, I'm surprised. She looks frail, but her body is incredibly resilient—stronger than some men, even."The doctor scoffed. "But I'm not sure if she'll make it past her fourth injection today. Last month, four test subjects didn't survive beyond that point. Their bodies have already been sent to the incinerator." Remy's jaw tensed. His voice was husky as he said, "As I've instructed, this woman must be kept alive.
Xavier seethed as he took in the insincere smile on Justin's face. Deep down, he was cursing him with every profanity imaginable. "Whatever makes you happy."Ignoring Justin's dark gaze, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead as he strode past him.Out of nowhere, Justin chuckled and asked, "Did you really think you had people on your side during the board meeting?"Jasper halted, his eyes narrowing. "Grandpa tried his best to shield you, but his health is failing by the day. How much longer do you think an old man can protect you?"Lowering his gaze, Justin idly adjusted the ruby cufflinks on his sleeves. His voice was casual yet cutting. "And Lyse—after how ruthlessly you discarded her, do you still believe she'll stand by you no matter what? That she'll fight alongside you like before?"The intense midday sun accentuated the sharp, aloof, and pallid features of Jasper's face as he stood, unyielding, in its glare. His pulse quickened. Finally, he answered, his voice a low rasp. "R
As the board meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.News of Justin securing his position as president and Alyssa joining the board quickly spread through Beckett Group.After the meeting, Alyssa escorted Newton back to Crescent Bay while Jasper remained at the corporation to handle some matters.With Xavier accompanying him, Jasper strode toward the chairman's office, his expression cold and unreadable.Nearby, a few employees huddled together, whispering."Psst! Do you think Alyssa joining the board means she's teaming up with Jasper to take down our new president?""People have been saying they broke up since they haven't been seen together for a while," another speculated."But at the press conference, Alyssa openly condemned Mr. Justin. That looked like she was siding with Jasper. So, are they still together or not?""Come on, to people like them, personal feelings don't matter—only their own interests do. Even if they broke up, they can still work together if it
When Jonah reached the bedside, he leaned in slowly, giving Julien an unobstructed view of his tanned skin, well-defined abs, and that devastatingly captivating face. Reclining against the headboard, Julien found himself lost in Jonah's eyes. His breath hitched, and his mind momentarily blanked as Jonah's mesmerizing gaze locked onto him. What could he do? His heart still betrayed him, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He was a fool—a pathetic fool. Jonah braced his arms on either side of Julien's head, his dark eyes overflowing with a raw, possessive affection. It was as if he sought to consume Julien—just as he had last night."Julien, does it still hurt—" "Fuck you!" Julien's bloodshot eyes blazed as he swung his hand, landing a sharp slap across Jonah's face. The illusion of his frailty shattered. A crimson handprint bloomed on Jonah's cheek in a split second, the flesh puffing up visibly. But the sting barely registered. Not when the ache in Jonah's chest was alr
Justin frowned as a hint of surprise flashed across his dark eyes. He had assumed Newton's unannounced appearance at the board meeting—along with Alyssa's involvement—was a coordinated effort with Jasper to overthrow him as president. After mentally running through hundreds of countermeasures, the one possibility he hadn't considered was that everything would proceed smoothly in his favor. Javier was equally stunned, though this outcome aligned with his desires. Today, Justin wasn't merely his son but a constant shadow looming over him, a silent predator watching his every move and reminding him that his past actions weren't completely buried. Instead, this secret loomed like a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment, obliterating everything he'd built. And the person holding the detonator was Justin—his eldest son whom he had trusted above all others. With a dim gaze, Javier watched Justin rise to his feet amid the applause. Suddenly, Justin's voice seemed distant,
Justin curled his lips into a smirk, scoffing in silence. Newton had gone to great lengths to bring Alyssa into Beckett Group. This was his way of decentralizing power and keeping it in check, and he wanted to prevent Justin from having complete control. Unlike others, Javier couldn't hold himself back. He blew his top instantly, his face turning red like a tomato. "Dad, have you lost your mind? Don't you know who she is? She is KS Group's president—our direct competitor!"KS Group is also bidding for Project A5. No matter how much you favor her, you should at least recognize the limits. If you promote her, it's a blatant conflict of interest—outright cronyism!" Newton sneered. "I might understand your concern if I were promoting someone other than Alyssa."His gaze hardened. "Cronyism? A conflict of interest? I wonder who you're really talking about."With those words, he cast a knowing, enigmatic glance at Justin's blank expression. Just then, a board member from Javier's
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc
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