"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
"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
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