In the street from across the police station, Alyssa had waited for a while in Jasper's arms.Nestling against him softly, she sweated as she reported, "I received a text from Cyrus. He said he had asked a few close colleagues to keep tabs on the case. As of just now, apart from David Schmidt's attorney, no one from the Schmidt family has attempted to defend him. They did not make any moves at all."It so happened that Alyssa was on her second day of the period, which was usually the worst. Jasper had advised her to stay home, but she was stubborn. Now, suffering from period cramps, she wiggled in his arms like an eel.She silently thought, "Guess I need to listen to Jasper for once and take a good rest.""Josh always plays long-term. All he wants right now is to hide away, I bet. There's no way he would defend a notorious and hopeless villain. He would only turn himself the next target of public wrath."Holding her in his right arm, he placed a hand on her lower abdomen and cares
Reasonable? How was that fucking reasonable?Xavier clenched his fist as he fought the urge to punch the reporter.A hush fell across the crowds, who waited for the scene to unfold. Some reporters had wanted to ask the sensitive question but faltered in the face of Alyssa's influence. Naturally, they were happy that someone had posed the question.Anger rolled through him. He nearly yanked the car door open and stormed out to confront the reporter, but Alyssa pulled him back. "Hey! It's enough of a mess out there. Don't add to the chaos!"He gritted his teeth and thundered, "But he's slandering you.""And? It doesn't hurt me in any way. Mr. Beckett, you're an adult, so act like one." Pouting, she scratched him on his chest. Jasper calmed down soon, but he was disgruntled. "We can't let this slide. Who knows? He might be acting on the Schmidts' orders.""So what?" She blinked at him, unfazed. "David Schmidt is done for, and we finally sought justice for the victims. I have achie
"Don't you know the basic ethics of a reporter is to report the truth? You accuse Ms. Alyssa without any proof. Not only that, you're twisting the narrative and slandering her. Say, are you hired by her enemy to stir trouble?" Maggie, despite looking vulnerable, carried herself in a fearless manner. She stunned the onlookers with her courage and sharp remarks. The male reporter who posed difficult questions stumbled backward and disappeared into the crowd cowardly."Ms. Madison…" Xavier stared at Maggie, completely captivated by her. He should have been the calmest individual at the scene, but he failed to soothe his racing heart. Maggie inhaled sharply and said loudly, "I have Ms. Alyssa to thank for giving me the courage to file a police report against David Schmidt. Her patience and advice were a great source of support for us. "Ms. Alyssa is a lifesaver to us. I'd be ashamed of myself if I could not speak up for her. I'm not that heartless."At the end of it, she started ch
"Josh!" Upon seeing Josh, David's eyes gleamed enthusiastically as if he had found a sliver of hope.Separated by a long table, David was about to limp over to Josh when the policeman on the watch hurried over to pin him down out of concern he might lash out again. Josh remained seated, but his disdain for his criminal brother was on full display from his back-leaning posture, vigilant gaze, and downturned lips. To him, familial bonds had always been the most useless thing in the Schmidt family.In their youth, David had been Josh's playmate, but as adults, Josh regarded the foolish David merely as a tool. He had cleaned up David's mess multiple times and spoiled him to no end, all to prevent David from coveting his power. His strategy had been to tame David and render David a dependent believer of his. Alas, David was a dim-witted good for nothing.The more Josh thought about it, the more he felt disgusted by David. Even until now, he did not think he was in the wrong for fra
The David Schmidt case had come to a close. Despite Alyssa and Jasper's considerable wealth and influence, It had not been smooth and easy for them to get rid of David and Daisy, as they were up against the equally established Schmidt Group. Life, it seemed, was not all smooth sailing.Fortunately, the outcome was worth all their time and effort. In high spirits, they granted Mrs. Rosie a day off and organized a celebratory dinner at home."Mr. Beckett, Madam Alyssa, I can't help but feel undeserving of my monthly pay when you keep giving me days off. It's like being paid without working," Mrs. Rosie remarked joyfully as she observed Jasper diligently preparing ingredients in the kitchen.With a wide smile, she commended, "Your knife skills are impressive! It's hard to believe you were once clumsy and lacked coordination. Now, you're a cooking expert.""It's all thanks to Lyse," Jasper replied.He was busy in the kitchen but glibly flirted with Alyssa. His eyes shone with affect
"A man in a suit?" Maggie looked staggered. "Oh, I remember now! No wonder he looks familiar. He's that fellow who dropped by for a visit with the young couple last time. I gave him a good beating then. Yes, it's him! He is acting very suspiciously; certainly up to no good."Before Miriam was done speaking, Maggie darted out of her place with a pounding heart without even bothering to put on shoes.…In the end, Xavier couldn't muster up the courage to call Maggie. He felt that he was destined to go home disappointed, a victim of his own cowardice.Just as he was about to turn and leave dejectedly, he heard a bright, sweet voice calling out to him. "X-Xavier!"Feeling surprised, he spun around and saw Maggie hurtling toward him, dressed in bunny pajamas and tying her hair into a bun.His frown disappeared, and his heart fluttered."G-Good evening, Ms. Madison," stammered Xavier with a foolish look on his face. Then, he awkwardly shoved the flowers and the gift box into her a
No one knew that Landon, in private, was akin to Lauren's maid, who'd do anything just for her."Pfft, you're just talking tough." Jasper was unbothered by all the teasing."Hey, how about adding some excitement to Lyse's night?" Landon nudged Jasper playfully, squinting. "Wear nothing under your apron. See how she reacts. I bet she'd willingly surrender to your six-pack."Jasper blushed and grumbled, "Get lost!"…Guests chatted cheerfully in the living room. Blushing, Lauren handed a bunch of lilies to Tatiana with the enthusiasm and agitation of a top fan. "You and Alyssa are my idols… I want to be as brave as you in the future!""No, better not!" Alyssa and Tatiana said in unison.Worried that Lauren might misunderstand, Tatiana explained, "Lauren, I'm glad you admire me, but I don't wish upon you what has happened to me."I hope you are forever well-protected by Lyse, Jasper, and Landon. We'd rather you never have to summon your courage.""Hm… But… Alright." Lauren scratc
Silas had hurriedly dropped, but his visit was for an important discussion rather than the dinner. Cyrus might seem brash, but he was meticulous at times. Earlier, he queued for two hours just to buy Alyssa and Tatiana's favorite desserts.Cyrus was surprised to see Lauren—the young lady great at handicrafts—at the dinner as well. Suddenly, he regretted not buying more of the dessert, as he didn't want to be perceived as favoring his sisters."Woah, is this panda-shaped dessert a new item? How cute!" Tatiana was a sucker for cute treats and desserts. She couldn't resist the temptation, grabbing one and gobbling it down right away.Sean was taken aback by Tatiana's behavior, as she had always displayed impeccable table manners and ate daintily like a bird. He realized he might not fully understand Tatiana's preferences after all.Alyssa savored one of the desserts with a smile that left Jasper enchanted. He made a mental note of the brand, planning to frequent the store for her sake
"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
The skies started to turn dark. Alyssa's dark hair was covered in a layer of snow. As she stood alone at the foot of the majestic mountain, she looked tiny, fragile, and desolate. "Ms. Alyssa, it's snowing. Heavy snowfall is forecasted tonight." Elias walked to Alyssa's side. Noticing the redness on her face due to the cold and the dull look in her eyes, he had a moment of realization. He couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness within him. "It's getting late. I suppose something came up for Mr. Beckett, and he's unable to make it." "Why didn't he inform me if that is the case?" Alyssa mumbled in a low voice as she gazed toward the darkness. She choked back on her tears so softly that her grievance couldn't really be heard through her voice. Elias slapped himself on his forehead. "Ah, perhaps you didn't manage to receive Mr. Beckett's message? The reception at the foot of the mountain isn't quite stable. You might have missed it. Would you like to come to my office? You'l
Jasper held his breath. It felt as if his legs had been chained together. He was unable to move. Looking at a stiff Jasper from behind, Xavier noticed his shoulders trembling slightly. An ominous feeling rose within him. "What did you say?" Jasper questioned. He sounded as if he was forcing himself to hold himself back from getting emotional. "Mr. Justin once mentioned that you were saved by a female doctor when you were badly wounded on the battlefield many years ago. I heard that you have been searching for her and that you've been grateful toward her." Jasper's back stiffened up. He narrowed his eyes and asked in a frosty voice, "This is a private matter. Why would Justin have told you about it?" "Mr. Justin mentioned it to me because I also used to work as a doctor in Luminara. He was hoping that I could help with finding that woman. "I finally have news on her whereabouts now. Mr. Jasper, don't you want to see the White Dove again? She was the person who gave her all t