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
Jasper stood ten feet away, meeting Javier's gaze with an indifferent look. The row of black seats between them seemed like spiked bushes, just like their relationship.The air in the banquet hall immediately froze. Rory and the hotel manager were gripped by shock and fear."Jasper… Why are you here? What's going on?" Javier formed a guess in mind, but he furiously demanded an answer from Jasper."Isn't it obvious, Mr. Javier?" Dressed in a grey four-piece suit, Jasper stood tall in confrontation with Javier. His frostiness and imposing air overwhelmed Javier, who was used to being treated like a king. Javier held his breath.Javier foresaw himself being outdone by Jasper very soon. Jasper's authoritative behavior was the equal of Javier's younger self, if not better. At that moment, Javier felt fortunate that there was no one else there to witness his humiliation."I have sent the reporters away. Seems like they'd rather get on your wrong side than make themselves my enemy," Jasp
"Were you peeping again?" Jasper questioned.Alyssa pursed her lips and gripped her coffee cup. "Yeah. I didn't want you bullied.""How did I do? Was I cool?" He placed a hand on her head and slid his fingers between her hair.She inched closer and kissed him on the cheek. "Yeah, you were incredibly cool."He wrapped his arm around her waist, and his hot breath tickled the tip of her nose. He said, "You deserve the credit for what happened today. Had you not pressured the media with KS Group's power, I couldn't have successfully kept every single Solana City media out of the press conference. "Javier Beckett hated that I disrupted his plans, but he hated the humiliation more."After some thinking, Alyssa gently advised him, "Jasper, promise me that you won't go against your dad after the Sophia Kirkman case. Alright?""Why? Feeling bad for me?" He lifted her chin with a grin."I'm serious.""Once Sophia Kirkman receives her payback, I promise not to get into trouble with Javi
"You clueless thing!" Newton bellowed at Jasper.Alyssa's chest tightened when she witnessed Newton's outburst. She was about to speak up for Jasper when Newton added, "You should have run it through me before carrying it out. How could you act alone? Are you addicted to angering your dad?""Grandpa, I—""If your dad pulled the same thing on me, I would have been pissed as well. Anyway, I was about to teach him a lesson for not discussing the press conference with me." Sighing furiously, Newton remarked, "You should have given me a heads up so I could fight with him over hosting the press conference. "I could have stopped him so you didn't have to get into an argument with him, killing two birds with one stone. See, you have angered him again. You know he's petty, and he'll keep score. Why would you do that?""Grandpa, I know you wanted to protect me, but I'm no five-year-old. I'm an adult who could protect you, Lyse, and the company." Touched by Newton's sentiments, Jasper helpe
Sophia Kirkman's case was brought to court under intense public scrutiny and anticipation.Early in the morning, Mrs. Rosie changed into a new and clean outfit. She went to the cemetery with a bunch of fresh lilies and placed the flowers in front of Anne's headstone. Then, she sat cross-legged on the floor, placing an iPad in front of her and making sure it faced Anne's smiling photo. "Madam, your darling son and daughter-in-law are seeking justice for you. That evil bitch Sophia Kirkman will finally receive her payback."While polishing Anne's photo, tears welled up in Mrs. Rosie's eyes. She said, "Jasper and Alyssa will visit you after the trial. Before that, I'll keep you company as we watch them in court."Mrs. Rosie picked up a whiff of lily scent, like a silent answer.…Although Sophia's representation had requested a private trial, the court rejected their application due to insufficient grounds. The case would proceed as a public trial instead.Despite the influence
Nina's grandmother, Gemma Pell, slowly got out of the car in her walking stick with Sean's help.Some reporters gasped, "It's the plaintiff's attorney and family!" They recognized Gemma due to her action of splashing hot soup at Sophia at Nina's funeral, an incident still highly discussed."The plaintiff's attorney looks familiar… Gosh, isn't he Ms. Alyssa's secretary?" a reporter exclaimed while pointing a finger at Sean."You're right! I can't believe that he's an attorney. Ms. Alyssa's employees are talented indeed."The group of reporters went up to Sean. He did not need to do anything to attract all attention away from Simon.Meanwhile, Simon's eyes wavered in shock as his blood froze. He had repeatedly sent people to ask around about the identity of his opponent in court, but he failed to get any information despite his extensive connections.He was shocked to find Sean as the attorney who took on Nina's case."A-Attorney Lynch, what do we do?" Simon's assistant, who was u
Simon refuted with a fake smile, "Jeffrey Snyder is Nina Carle's murderer. He was caught at the scene and admitted to it. Mrs. Beckett is unfairly accused of the crime, and I'm here to clear her name."Sean merely scoffed at Simon's remark. "So, are you saying that the authorities are wrong to arrest a woman who is involved in corruption, abuse of power, slander, and framing others for her crime? She's also a drug user, you know.""That's just a red herring. Mrs. Beckett has made some mistakes that don't warrant a harsh punishment. Besides, she has not murdered anyone. She will admit to the crimes she has committed, but she will not be unfairly blamed. She has no reason to take the blame for the murder all because you want to settle personal grudges."Frowning, Sean fell into silence. He was wary not to get into a squabble with Simon, for he'd only give Simon the chance to insult Alyssa.The reporters fixed their hateful gazes on Simon as anger simmered. They silently cheered Sean
"Jas…"Alyssa looked at Jasper with an unfocused gaze. Her breaths were shallow, and she was slipping in and out of consciousness. Mentally, she was confused. "Yes, it's me—Jasper!"Jasper's heart clenched as he saw the color drain from her face. Her body trembled uncontrollably, fragile as a leaf caught in the wind. She resembled the kitten he had saved as a child—frozen and alone in the alley that bitter winter night. A deep sorrow flooded his chest."Jas… per…" Alyssa murmured his name, her voice strained, her tongue numb from the cold.A faint, mocking smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "It seems… like I am about… to freeze to death… How could he be here… He will not come back… He doesn't want me anymore…" Alyssa's vision blurred as her eyelids grew heavy. She began to lean, her body sagging to one side."Alyssa! Stay awake!" Jasper's heart was pierced, the pain unbearable as he saw the denial in her eyes. He forced himself to pu
Elias frowned deeply; his worry etched onto his face. "We've been shouting Ms. Alyssa's name the whole way. With so many of us calling out, she should've heard us by now if she were nearby!"In a deep voice, Jasper said, "The wind is too strong, and then there's the heavy snowfall. Our voices are being drowned out. Lyse might not hear us at all."Lyse. Her nickname slipped from his lips before he even realized it."I'm just afraid she's injured—or worse, fainted. If she blacks out in this cold…" Elias trailed off, his voice heavy with dread. "On a day like this, she won't survive long. She'll freeze to death."The group exchanged uneasy glances, the reality of his words tightening their chests.It wasn't that Elias was being a doomsayer. Rather, this was the cruel reality that might actually happen. Crater Mountain claimed lives every year. Danger lurked unpredictably in the woods on the mountain—anything could unfold."Let's split up," Jasper commanded, his eyes fixed on t
The snow was falling heavily, and the chilling winds howled through the night.Remy had no car, so he trudged through the snow alone, each step more exhausting than the last.His thoughts were consumed with Alyssa—was she still alive? In danger? And Jasper's unrelenting resolve to reach her, even after being shot and drenched in blood.Remy pressed his calloused, trembling hand to his chest. His heart hammered in his ribcage erratically.A sharp, searing pain shot through his temples, blurring his vision. He collapsed to his knees in the snow, his body racked with agony. The pain surged deep within him, and his eyes felt like they were going to burst from their sockets. It was unbearable.His breath came in ragged gasps. His hands scrambled for the necklace hanging from his neck—inside it was a hidden medicine box.Justin had told him that the medication in there could calm him down and relieve him of any pain. It would be able to save his life. But in his desperate haste, the
As subtle as Remy's expressions were, Jasper still noticed them. A slight twinkle flashed across his eyes. He did not have the time to continue entertaining Remy. He clenched his teeth, turned around, and started running toward Crater Mountain. Nevertheless, he had barely taken a few steps when gunshots were fired at his feet. Even so, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead and did not stop. Just then, another gunshot rang out. It wasn't until a bullet hit him in his right shoulder that the pain caused him to stumble. He almost fell to the ground but forced himself to stay on his feet. It was fortunate that he was shot in his right shoulder this time. After all, his left shoulder could not be injured any further. Otherwise, his left shoulder would be left in complete disability."If you take another step, the next shot will be in your left leg," Remy warned mockingly. Yet, his gaze was firm and fiery. "Jasper, I don't suppose you want to end up like your older brother, living in
A chill went down Jasper's spine. At that moment, staring down the barrel of the gun, one thought consumed him. It was the only thought that mattered—he had to stay alive to meet Alyssa!Jasper's mind raced. His gun was hidden under the driver's seat of his usual car, but today, he had taken a different sports car—one that wasn't equipped with a weapon. Panic gripped him for a split second before his instincts kicked in.The soldier within him stirred. Without warning, he jerked the steering wheel, ramming his car into Remy's.One of Remy's headlights was taken out and left rolling across the snow. All of a sudden, this prideful man was overwhelmed with anger. His eyes reddened with a strong sense of competitiveness, compelling him to pull the trigger. A shot rang out. The bullet sliced through the cold air, shattering Jasper's car window.From the very beginning, Remy hadn't intended to take Jasper's life. All Justin told him to do was to stop Jasper from meeting with Alys
"Jasper, you are such a jerk. If anything bad happens to Ms. Alyssa, you will surely regret it. You will live in regret your entire life!" Sean yelled. …The temperature tonight was -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The snowstorm in the woods on the mountain was getting stronger and stronger. The winds were freezing and bone-piercing as they blew against Alyssa's face. Trees swayed dramatically in the screeching winds, creating an inexplicable creepy atmosphere that added a feeling of desolation to Alyssa's sorrowful and depressive mood. She braved the bone-piercing winds and faced the heavy snowfall. With the help of her trekking pole, she plodded forward one step at a time. She did not have a destination in mind. She did not know where she was heading. Her heart had shattered, and she was beside herself. The decreasing temperatures discouraged her and made her lose all her motivation. For someone who had lost their willpower, being in the woods under extreme weather conditions wa
"Mr. Jasper, why do you say so?" Sheryl lifted her head and looked into Jasper's reddened eyes. She furrowed her brows and laughed out loud. "White Dove is from Solana City. This is also something that I wasn't able to predict. If I had known, I wouldn't have gotten you to make a trip here in vain, would I?" Sheryl was no longer that conniving bitch who used to act coy. Now, she had a powerful person backing her up. Jasper's violent rage did not scare her at all. "Why the hell didn't you say anything earlier?" Xavier marched forward furiously. He was even more inclined to serve her a slap. "Did you know that Mr. Beckett had an important date with Madam today? He only rushed her because of your stupid lead! Right now, you're telling us that White Dove isn't in Skydon but Solana City? What the heck are you scheming? Were you trying to ruin Mr. Beckett and Madam's date intentionally?" "Madam? Haven't Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa broken up? Is it right for you to be referring to her
The skies started to turn dark. Alyssa's dark hair was covered in a layer of snow. As she stood alone at the foot of the majestic mountain, she looked tiny, fragile, and desolate. "Ms. Alyssa, it's snowing. Heavy snowfall is forecasted tonight." Elias walked to Alyssa's side. Noticing the redness on her face due to the cold and the dull look in her eyes, he had a moment of realization. He couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness within him. "It's getting late. I suppose something came up for Mr. Beckett, and he's unable to make it." "Why didn't he inform me if that is the case?" Alyssa mumbled in a low voice as she gazed toward the darkness. She choked back on her tears so softly that her grievance couldn't really be heard through her voice. Elias slapped himself on his forehead. "Ah, perhaps you didn't manage to receive Mr. Beckett's message? The reception at the foot of the mountain isn't quite stable. You might have missed it. Would you like to come to my office? You'l
Jasper held his breath. It felt as if his legs had been chained together. He was unable to move. Looking at a stiff Jasper from behind, Xavier noticed his shoulders trembling slightly. An ominous feeling rose within him. "What did you say?" Jasper questioned. He sounded as if he was forcing himself to hold himself back from getting emotional. "Mr. Justin once mentioned that you were saved by a female doctor when you were badly wounded on the battlefield many years ago. I heard that you have been searching for her and that you've been grateful toward her." Jasper's back stiffened up. He narrowed his eyes and asked in a frosty voice, "This is a private matter. Why would Justin have told you about it?" "Mr. Justin mentioned it to me because I also used to work as a doctor in Luminara. He was hoping that I could help with finding that woman. "I finally have news on her whereabouts now. Mr. Jasper, don't you want to see the White Dove again? She was the person who gave her all t