"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
"I'm surprised you've still got an appetite, Jasper. I wouldn't have any appetite at all if I were you." Silas chugged an entire cup of cold water. He slammed his cup on the table and said, "The hearing for Sophia's case officially begins next Friday." Everyone hadn't seen Sophia in a long time. Their faces turned gloomy at the mention of her name. "I know. I've been counting down the days." Jasper twitched his eyebrow slightly. His voice was tense and hoarse. He was doing his utmost best to suppress the sharp pain in his heart. "There hasn't been a day when I forgot how my mother died. I have not forgotten about seeking revenge on behalf of my mother and all the innocent lives that Sophia had claimed. Not for a single day." Alyssa's heart raced. The tears in her eyes glistened slightly. Under the table, she reached over slowly for Jasper's hand. She held his hand tightly. Jasper interlocked his fingers with hers immediately, as if he was grasping onto the only ray of light
"Jasper, it's alright if they don't understand you. I understand you." Alyssa exhaled. She placed her warm hand on the back of Jasper's hand. "If I were you, I would also do all I can to fulfill my mother's dying wish."At the same time, I understand how your mother felt. What she actually wanted was for you to have the ability to protect yourself. That was why she hoped that you could become more powerful. "There's nothing wrong with the path that you have chosen. As much as you may hate your father, Grandpa Newton has always cared for you. You're indebted to him for raising you. For Grandpa's sake, your perseverance and toil will not be completely meaningless." "Lyse… Thank you." Jasper choked on his tears. His voice trembled slightly as he called her name. "You don't have to thank me. I'm just someone who understands you," Alyssa replied as she smiled sweetly at him. "Jeffrey is now willing to testify against Sophia to say that she was involved in contract killings. With dr
Alyssa followed Jasper into the study. The door closed behind her with a soft click. She didn't move to switch on the lights or sit down. Instead, she stood quietly in the dim room.They faced each other, eyes locked. In the darkness, their gazes seemed brighter, charged with emotions that neither could put into words. Whatever stirred within them was tangled and silent—kept at bay by something unspoken, as if a wall had formed between heart and mouth. After a pause, Alyssa offered a faint smile. Her voice was soft, almost courteous. "Go ahead, Mr. Beckett. I won't be staying long tonight—I've made other arrangements."It was clear she didn't want to be alone in a room with him.Jasper's chest tightened, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion he couldn't define. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "You didn't vote against the motion at today's board meeting. I wanted to know… are we still on the same side?"Alyssa's gaze lowered, her voice steady and calm. "You didn't object
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"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