"How… How about Justin, your brother who had saved you?" Alyssa probed carefully. Jasper froze. The horrifying memories from his younger days replayed in his mind. It all felt so vivid to him. "Justin and I may be half-brothers, but it's a fact that he'd saved my life. There's no doubt about that. I will always be indebted to him." Alyssa knew that Jasper was a loyal man. This was a good trait to have. At the same time, it could be cumbersome too. "Imagine if Justin comes back and joins the fight to succeed Beckett Group. Would you hand it over to him?" Jasper chuckled softly. "Are you so fearful of the possibility that I'd marry into your family instead?" "That's what I've been thinking about." Alyssa blinked calmly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and continued, "I am an unrefined person. The only thing I'm interested in is position and wealth. I can't stand being a typical wife. I am only focused on becoming a leader in the business world. I want to be a radiant
"First, you should all look at this video." Cyrus pulled out an iPad. He played the footage, which showed Jameson visiting David.Alyssa inched nearer to take a closer look. She asked in a confused voice, "What did Jamiper have David sign?" "I've asked my colleagues at the Digital Forensics Department to analyze the footage. It's an agreement for the transfer of shares," Cyrus answered in a deep voice. Alyssa, Jasper, and Xavier were shocked. "How… How could that be?" Xavier couldn't hold himself back. He blurted, "To them, their shares represent their power and position at the Schmidt Group. It's such an important asset! "There was a chance that David would end up being sentenced to be in prison for life. Even so, he couldn't have transferred his shares to Jamiper even if he died. He detested Jamiper!" "I've also hired a professional lip reader to interpret David's words. In short, Jameson probably told him that Josh was the reason for his downfall. He offered to help get D
After several days, Inigo finally couldn't resist. He showed up again.However, Alyssa never expected that the person delivering the message to her was not Jonah or Landon but Colene.Jasper also realized the reason for Colene's question when she asked if he was around. It was because she knew Alyssa's temper well.If Alyssa found out that Inigo had appeared, she would rush over to catch him, regardless of anything. How could this wild filly be left without someone to restrain her?"How did you find out, Colene? Who tipped you off?" Alyssa's heart was pounding with excitement and astonishment."It's Nathan, my dad's adopted son."Jasper looked puzzled and asked softly, "Who's Nathan?"Alyssa's eyes brightened as she enthusiastically introduced him. "He's the one who fed Simon the feces. Technically, I should call him Uncle Nathan."Jasper's eyes lit up. He formed the impression that Nathan was a remarkable man."I asked him to gather all his men and circulate Inigo's photo so
Suddenly, Colene shouted, "Do you hear me, Jasper?"Jasper hurriedly sat up straight. "Yes, I'm here.""Control your woman a little. Don't let her act recklessly."Although Colene didn't sound friendly, her words were filled with concern. "If anything happens to Lyse, the Ivory Gang won't let you off."Alyssa felt speechless at her words. This daughter of the Ivory Gang's leader was quite domineering.Cyrus chuckled and shook his head while Xavier truly felt nervous for Jasper.Jasper wrapped his hand around Alyssa's waist and exerted force, giving her a sense of security. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll protect Lyse with all my might. Please rest assured."Suddenly, the atmosphere in the car quieted down.Mom?Even Alyssa usually only addressed Colene by her name, but Jasper actually called her "Mom" in one fell swoop.He actually mastered seizing opportunities to act cute.The other end of the phone suddenly went silent, and then Colene shouted, "You brat, who do you think you're
Inigo continued, "If I get caught, I'll expose all the dirty things you've done over the years. I'll let Ms. Alyssa see the ugly side of her childhood friend!"Jameson smiled mockingly as he knew Inigo wouldn't have the chance to report on him."How do you plan to give me the money?" Inigo's mind was all wrapped up in his funds."Follow the route I tell you to take now. I'll arrange for people to cover you and help you escape. As for the money, I'll put it on the plane. After you escape, quickly board the plane. It'll take off immediately, and you can successfully leave Solana City."…As instructed by Alyssa, Colene repeatedly reminds Nathan not to act recklessly and engage in a firefight with Inigo. If he didn't listen, she would block his number.This sentence was extremely effective against Nathan.When Alyssa and Jasper received the news, they immediately contacted Landon and Jonah. The police also dispatched manpower to track down Inigo and his men according to Nathan's pr
Late at night, Solana City International Airport seemed calm on the surface, but there was a storm brewing.Cyrus had applied for an arrest warrant and requested to work with the head of customs to hunt down Inigo. They were conducting a tight surveillance operation without causing public panic or affecting normal flight operations.The goal was to arrest Inigo on the spot.Plainclothes police officers were present in the airport terminal. Beyond customs, both the Taylors and the Harpers were stationed.The airport tonight was like a dragnet, just waiting for Inigo to fall into it.Time was ticking away.Jonah, Cyrus, and Landon stood in the control room, watching multiple surveillance screens. Their hearts were pounding. Even when their eyes were sore from staring at the screens, they dared not slack off."Mr. Jonah, Chief Cyrus, is there a possibility…"Landon, feeling a bit stifled by the atmosphere, cleared his throat and asked, "Is there a possibility that Inigo disappeare
The chilly night breeze carried a tense atmosphere as it swept through.Jameson's joy at seeing his beloved was dashed as soon as he noticed Jasper."Lyse, you're here!" Lily's eyes shimmered with gentle light. She even wanted to get up from the wheelchair to greet her.Perhaps Alyssa's striking appearance had left a lasting impression on her. Sometimes, Lily couldn't recognize her own son, but she could instantly identify Alyssa. It was genuine affection that couldn't be concealed."Hi, Mrs. Schmidt." Alyssa's voice was gentle. She smiled at Lily.Jasper's strong arm wrapped around Alyssa's waist. His gaze was sharp and icy as he stared at Jameson, observing his every move."Lyse, who is this?" Lily looked at Jasper's expressionless face in confusion, instinctively tugging at Jameson's sleeve.Alyssa gazed deeply at Jasper's handsome profile.Jameson adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and said before she could reply, "Lyse, what a coincidence to meet you here. Are you also going
"We" was a word that created an insurmountable gap between Jameson and the couple. He could never cross it.Nevertheless, Jameson's gaze toward Alyssa still held deep affection.His obsessive love had turned him into a shameless lunatic."Lyse, you're misunderstanding me. But since you suspect me, I can cooperate with you fully."With that, Jameson bent down and gently held his mother's hand. "Mom, I'm sorry, but I can't accompany you on this trip anymore.""It's okay, it's okay."Lily's worried gaze turned to Alyssa. Her eyes were filled with tears as she spoke. "Lyse, don't be mad at Jimmy. If he made you angry, I apologize to you on his behalf.Alyssa felt her heart wrench. "Mrs. Schmidt, don't say that."Although Jameson was malicious and cunning, Lily was a pitiful woman suffering from a serious illness. Alyssa didn't want to engage in a fierce conflict with Jameson in front of Lily.After all, this woman, abandoned by her husband and exiled for 15 years, had only Jameson
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