"Behave," Jonah rasped out, though his expression was solemn.Julien cocked his head and grinned a devastatingly beautiful smile. "No, I won't."Meanwhile, Jasper seemed to be in an excellent mood. He hadn't backed down after taking on the challenge of downing several rounds of alcohol. After toasting everyone, Jasper began a one-on-one drinking duel with Axel.He didn't usually drink alcohol. He was only doing so mainly because he didn't want Alyssa's brothers to think he was a coward. After all, he was Alyssa's man. "Do you know what my nickname is?" Axel draped his arm over Jasper's shoulder as he topped up the latter's wine glass. "They call me the Son of Spirits, never getting drunk no matter how much I drink. I'm worried you'll ruin your family's pride if you try competing with me."Jasper looked down at his full glass of wine and smiled lightly. "In my experience, Axel, the ones who try to make themselves look tough at the start are the ones who fall first later on. No ma
"I'm doing really well." Rose's eyes narrowed as she flicked ash off her cigarette. "The world is my home. I have no family or kin to my name.""What are you talking about? If you don't have family, who am I then?" Alyssa held Rose's arm lovingly. "The moment I become your mentor, you'll always be my… you know how it goes.""Taking advantage of me now, aren't you?" Rose teasingly pinched Alyssa's chin with the hand holding her cigarette.Rose had a natural physique, taller and broader than Alyssa. Their affectionate and teasing movements made quite the sight. They looked like a couple of lesbian lovers.Meanwhile, Silas was in the crowd some distance away, watching Rose's every move.He didn't like people who smoked. Every time Axel started smoking, Silas would try and find a way to snatch the cigarette away.Yet for some reason, as Silas gazed at Rose holding the cigarette with her slender fingers, the smoke swirling around her face, and the relaxed look in her eyes, he couldn't
Silas was retching by the restroom basin, heaving all the tequila he'd drunk out from his stomach.His alcohol tolerance was the lowest among his siblings. Usually, he could barely manage a sip of tequila.Yet even after Silas had retched everything out, his mind was still heavy and throat burning as if doused with acid."Look at yourself, Silas… Why are you still so worked up over her? She clearly doesn't care about you at all," he mumbled to himself.Silas splashed his face with some cold water and combed his fringe back with his hands. Even in such a dire state, he was still remarkably handsome."I really am working myself up too much over this…" Silas gently massaged his temples, unable to stop feeling frustrated.As he opened the door, he bumped right into someone else."Ah!" Rose gasped.She had worn high heels that night, so her body rocked with the force and fell backward.Though Silas was still somewhat drunk, his speed was still exceptional. He swiftly wrapped an arm
Wine was a mesmerizing thing.But only Silas knew whether his kiss stemmed from being drunk or liquid courage invoking his deepest desires to light."Based on the look on your face, I take it you've remembered?" Silas smiled teasingly. "You were the one who wouldn't let go of me last time, so now that I'm initiating things, we're even."Even?Silas had forcefully kissed her and taken advantage of her. Yet, this was what he had to say for it?Rose grew angry in an instant. Alyssa's brother or not, she was going to give Silas a tight slap in the face, even if it meant cutting ties with Alyssa.But Rose wasn't as skilled as Alyssa was. Plus, her body had long turned weak with the large amount of wine she'd drank. Her hand waved in the air but was swiftly caught by Silas.Rose's heart raced in the next instant.Silas gently placed her palm against his cheek, eyes turning into fond slits. "Don't get angry. Be careful with your body."A droplet of water fell down his temple, adding
Rose was greatly moved by Silas' promise to take responsibility for her. Still, she steeled her heart, shoved him, and left his embrace. She brushed it off, "Don't worry about that. I'm not a fussy woman. That's not my first kiss anyway. You don't have to take responsibility for me like a strait-laced man."Then, she tossed her smooth hair and waved in a carefree manner. "Mr. Taylor, you're handsome, but I prefer a rebel over a symbol of justice."A rebel? Would she prefer the likes of the devilish Axel or even Landon Harper?Landon was taken, but Axel was available. Besides, tonight's event saw the gentlemen and ladies mingling freely like a blind dating occasion. Even he was momentarily tempted by the choices around him. Could she have developed an interest in Axel?Feeling oddly threatened, he blurted out, "How about trying out different stuff?"Rose, who had maintained her calm, turned her lips downward. She nearly lost her composure when she heard the suggestion. "I don
Jasper looked disgruntled after being unfairly blamed. Silas, who realized he shouldn't have yelled at Alyssa, hurriedly apologized, "Lyse, I was wrong. I had too much to drink and made a mistake there. I'm sorry.""Are you going to claim that you kissed Rose because you were drunk? Hmph! That's men for you! Irresponsible brats who flirt and go.""No…" Silas closed his eyes and shook his head. "I was sober when I kissed her. I knew exactly what I was doing."Lyse, I love Rose, but unfortunately, she doesn't feel the same toward me. This one-sided relationship is doomed from the start."Besides, she doesn't want to get married and likes to chase after the thrill. We don't have a future together because we don't share the same values. Oh well, it looks like you'll never get a sister-in-law. I've let you down.""Silas!"Silas left the villa dejectedly without another word. "Lyse, I'll see him off," Jasper offered.It so happened that the cab had arrived. Silas was about to get
Yawning, Cyrus added without thinking, "We received three cases of sexual assault involving males this year. I do not want a fourth case. The Lovelaces are going to be devastated if Julien becomes a victim." Julien agreed with Cyrus, making Jonah clench his jaw in frustration. …Not all the guests had left. When Mrs. Rosie cleaned the venue, she found Axel passed out drunk on the balcony. Although there was a deck underneath the balcony, Axel could have fallen off it if he flipped and turned. The fall from two floors might not have cost him his life, but it was enough to severely injure him."Good heavens! You crazy child! You've gone mad!" Mrs. Rosie hurried into the kitchen to inform Alyssa and Jasper, who were busy making tea. "Madam, your brother Axel is sleeping on the balcony! I dare not wake him up. I can't take the responsibility if he falls off the balcony from the shock."Jasper's eyes were filled with worry. Alyssa continued making her tea, unfazed. She drawled, "
Before leaving, Maggie changed into the outfit she arrived in and attempted to return the luxurious evening gown to Alyssa. Alyssa, however, declined to accept and explained that it was a belated 18th birthday gift for Maggie.Since Maggie had no good reason to return the gown, she carefully brought the gown home with tears of joy.As a driver had been assigned to send Maggie home, Xavier sat in the front passenger seat awkwardly, not daring to speak a word lest someone mistook him as a pervert who kidnapped a teenage girl. He never wanted to get wrongly accused like the last time.Throughout the trip, Maggie cautiously kept a distance from Xavier and looked out of the window with a light blush on her cheeks. She touched her cheeks; they burned.Finally, they arrived at the lobby of her apartment. She had wanted Xavier to head back soon, but he insisted on sending her to the door because he was worried about her safety.At the door, she hesitated before whispering, "Xavier, I need
When Axel heard the news, he immediately returned to the city where his organization was based. Without even reporting back to work, he booked the earliest red-eye flight to Cyrris. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, and when he emerged from the arrival gates, an ominous air surrounded him. A black luxury car awaited him at the exit.Standing in front of the car were Jasper and Xavier, who had been waiting anxiously for his arrival.Axel's gaze locked onto Jasper's fiery eyes. His presence radiated fury, unrestraint, and a barely contained viciousness. A strong gust of wind swept through the terminal. Snow danced in the air, tangling both Jasper's and Axel's hair into disarray."Let's talk in the car, Axel," Jasper said in a low, measured voice.Red-eyed, Axel insisted, "I need to find my wife right now." "That's exactly why I'm here. Get in the car, and we'll talk." Jasper turned on his heel. His tone grew colder. "But let's be honest—you won't find her no matter ho
Jasper wanted to console Alyssa but found himself at a loss for words. So, he remained silent. "Disappointed, aren't you?" Alyssa sniffled as she smiled bitterly."Not at all." Perhaps he had been expecting too much. As a woman, she was intelligent, capable, and a strategist for victory. Beyond that, she boldly stepped forward to fight against the dark forces. She was strong and perfect as she was—why should he expect her to be anything more?Yet, seeing Alyssa's vulnerable side unsettled him. Something tugged at his heartstrings, a deep ache he couldn't ignore."I found it! I found Ms. Altman's cell phone!" With more manpower and better visibility as the sun rose, it didn't take long to locate Amber's bloodied phone. "Ambs…"Alyssa's face drained of color as terror gripped her at the sight of the bloodstained device. Jasper, on the other hand, remained composed. He tried powering on the phone, and to their surprise, it turned on. "What's the password?" Jasper asked g
"Five times more potent than the previous version? Are you sure it's safe for Remy to consume this?" Sheryl picked up the pill, unease flickering across her face. As much as she despised Remy, she couldn't deny his prowess as a fighter and his value as Justin's right-hand man. Having him around would certainly ease Justin's workload, prompting her to double-check."It won't kill him, but it won't be pleasant either. Don't worry—it's temporary," Justin replied, a sinister smile curling his lips. He continued nonchalantly, "When he takes the pill, his adrenaline will spike, flooding him with energy while his muscles tense. He'll feel both pain and euphoria. Then, it will fade, leaving him dependent on the drug moving forward." The implication was clear to Sheryl. Justin intended to control Remy through addiction. "Remy wasn't born for the shadows," Justin continued, his gaze darkened. "He's just a victim of post-traumatic amnesia, his nervous system subdued with sedatives and anes
"Got it, Mr. Harper!" Harper Group's subordinates acknowledged before swiftly dispersing. "I'm going to search for Amber too," Alyssa said, turning to leave.Jasper caught her arm. "It's freezing. Go wait in the car." Landon chimed in, "Lyse, listen to Jasper. Just wait in the car. We'll search for Amber.""No—I have to come too!" Alyssa sniffled. The sharp wind stung her face, leaving her nose raw and crimson, her eyes watering until they puffed into tender, swollen crescents. "Amber's in trouble because of me. I was careless—it's all my fault!""Lyse…" Landon's heart sank at her remorseful expression.Jasper's gaze softened as he studied Alyssa's pale face. "Her disappearance isn't your fault."Tears welled in Alyssa's eyes as she shook her head. "Amber means everything to Axel. If anything happens to her, I won't be able to face him. I don't deserve to be his sister. Please, let me come with you."Jasper and Landon failed to dissuade her. Reluctantly, they agreed. Alyssa
After studying Sheryl for a moment, Remy turned and left."M-Ms. Gillis, are you okay?" One of Sheryl's subordinates came forward to help her up."Useless bastard! Why didn't you step in when he hit me earlier?" Sheryl's voice trembled with fury as her gaze fell on the crimson stains marring the pristine snow.Stammering, the subordinate replied, "R-Remy acted too quickly. Everyone in the organization knows how good of a fighter he is. None of us stood a chance against him!""S-Something wasn't right about him tonight." Sheryl watched Remy's retreating figure disappear into the distance, her voice dropping to a menacing murmur. "I need to report this to Mr. Justin in person immediately."Inside his car, Remy gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands but made no move to drive.Closing his eyes, he felt a suffocating sensation rise in his throat, as though he were drowning in an endless, hopeless sea. He was just a speck, sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss.A shar
With a piercing gaze, Sheryl glared at Remy, who stood in front of her car with an air of frigidity around him. The temptation to ram her car into the crestfallen man was almost irresistible, but she didn't dare. Remy was Justin's right-hand man, and even her audacity had limits. Instead, Sheryl pulled her white coat snugly around her, stepped out of the car with feigned composure, and strode toward him. Hostility crackled between them as their eyes locked.Sheryl broke the silence. "Remy, is there nothing you'd like to update me about?" she asked with a sinister look in her eyes. Stiffly, Remy asked, "Where did you take that woman?" "How shameless of you to question me. Mr. Justin was wise to send me as backup. Otherwise, Amber would have escaped without a trace!"Gritting her teeth, Sheryl took a step closer to Remy. "Is this how you handle tasks entrusted by Mr. Justin? The unstoppable Remy, brought to his knees by a wild brat? Or did you let her go intentionally? Are yo
"Jameson and Carl have been eliminated. Who else could be targeting Amber?"A sharp glint flashed in Jasper's eyes as a thought struck him. "Could it be Justin or Sheryl?" he asked, his voice low and tense.He recalled seeing Justin in the living room earlier that evening, wide awake instead of resting. Was Justin waiting for something? Or perhaps, provoking him in subtle defiance?"They are the only ones I can think of with a grudge against Amber." Alyssa's anxiousness made her voice tremble. "Having worked for Jameson for years, Amber must have visited Mosgravia multiple times to meet with Sir—who is, in fact, Justin. "Justin wouldn't have met anyone else besides Jameson. But how could he leave no trace after all those interactions? Amber must have figured out his true identity. And Justin—he must have realized who she is, even with her changed appearance."Jasper's expression darkened. "So he decided to eliminate her as a precaution."Tears welled in Alyssa's eyes, threaten
Searching for Amber without direction would be pointless. Jasper made a swift decision to bring Alyssa back to the manor, shielding her from the relentless chill of the wind. Once inside, he immediately began organizing the search. He deployed his men and contacted Landon, requesting additional support.The two of them sat together on the couch.This time, there was no space between them. It was as though an invisible force drew them closer, their proximity feeling natural yet electric. Neither could say who had moved first.Alyssa, however, was in no mood to dwell on their closeness. Wrapped in her down jacket, she curled up on the couch, her arms hugging herself tightly. A quiet frostiness emanated from her as she sat in silence, listening to Jasper's calm and methodical calls to mobilize his team.In the past, his composed presence would have been enough to ease her mind. But now, her thoughts were a tangled mess, each one like a razor claw tearing at her heart. The pain was u
"Ms. Gillis, I've searched her thoroughly. She doesn't have anything on her." Sheryl's brows knitted in frustration. "How can that be? Where's her cell phone?" "There wasn't one." Sheryl, no longer concerned about dirtying herself, stepped forward, grabbed Amber by her hair, and forced her to meet her gaze."You bitch," Sheryl snarled. "You came to The Millennium at this hour for a reason. What did you find? Hand it over, and I might spare your worthless life!"Amber spat a mouthful of bloody saliva directly onto Sheryl's face."Fuck! You bitch!" Glaring at Amber, Sheryl rolled her sleeves up and slapped her twice in the face. Even so, it wasn't enough to quench her fury. She yelled, "Take her back!" Two of Sheryl's subordinates moved forward, dragging a limp Amber away. Sheryl's reddened eyes burned with fury as she wiped the spit off her face. She was teetering on the edge of madness."Search the area! Retrace her steps and leave no stone unturned!"…Jasper drove to