"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
To be frank, they had more than a couple of hurdles ahead of them. Even though Jeffrey had confessed to everything he knew, a crucial individual remained elusive—Inigo. This meant that their scheme to implicate Jameson was not going to succeed.After the guests left, Mrs. Rosie came back. She worked on tidying the kitchen and the house on Jasper and Alyssa's behalf. "Jasper, could you find a time to speak with Landon? He seems to get mad every time he meets Cyrus." Alyssa placed the plates into the sink so that she could wash them. She mumbled, "Why is he seeing him as an enemy just because he's single and handsome? All five of my brothers are still single. Yet, Cyrus is the only one he's keeping an eye on? "He's already acting like a possessive partner even before he gets married to Lauren. If so, wouldn't Lauren lose all her freedom if they were to get married in the future? "Is he going to keep her captive if she sneaks a peek at other men? Would he end up abusing her?"
"Lyse, I cannot leave you. Not even for a moment," Jasper said. Alyssa looked up at him slowly. Her eyes were filled with tears. Jasper wiped her tears dry. He felt pained to see her cry. "So… the first person you fell in love with was me?" Alyssa was determined to get an answer. Jasper probed carefully. "Do you want to know my honest answer?" "Of course I do." "No, it wasn't you." "Jasper! You're a jerk!" Alyssa's blood boiled. She punched him repeatedly on his chest. "How did I never realize that you were someone like this? You're such a jerk! Get out! Leave Mrs. Rosie with me. Take nothing else and leave!" Jasper let her hit him as much as she wanted. Despite his shaky voice, he responded seriously, saying, "You are the one I love the most, Lyse. You are the one that I want to marry. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."It is exactly because of this that I want to bare my heart to you. I want to be completely honest with you. I no longer wish to hide anyth
Alyssa's heart was still racing. She played it cool and asked, "After that… You've never tried to look for that woman?""I've never stopped searching for her. But I don't even know her name or what she looks like. There's no way for me to look for her." Jasper chuckled to himself. "I gave her a nickname—the White Dove. It represents hope. I was able to return from the battlefield alive all because of her. That was how I began to hope again." Alyssa's eyes welled up again. At this point in time, she was content regardless of whether he knew of her identity as the White Dove. …Jasper and Alyssa tidied up the kitchen and the living room. They took a bath together and changed into a clean set of matching pajamas. They were about to go upstairs to rest when Xavier returned. "Welcome back, Xavier. Have you had dinner? I'll warm something up for you if you haven't eaten," Alyssa asked in a concerned tone. The way she spoke to him wasn't like an employer speaking to an employee at
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
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