"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
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