Simon's meticulously groomed hair was now messy, dripping with the rotten egg liquid. Before he could react, egg after egg bombarded him."Unscrupulous attorney! A lackey of the tycoons! How can you defend murderers like Sophia? Do you have any conscience?"A rotten tomato was being hurled at him, splattering red juice everywhere."Despicable villain! You have no humanity as an attorney. How many innocent people have you harmed just to wipe the asses of the rich? You're not worthy of being an attorney! You're simply insulting the profession!"Another rotten egg flew toward Simon, hitting him squarely in the face. The smell made it hard for him to even open his eyes."You damn beast! Go to hell!""You should die with Sophia!""Rot in hell!"Simon's clean suit was now unrecognizable. Trembling, he dodged left and right in a panic, trying to push through the crowd surrounding him.But the angry crowd formed a human wall around him, and some even took the opportunity to punch and
Xavier came running over with red-rimmed eyes, looking like he had just finished a good cry.As Jasper's most loyal secretary, he had witnessed Jasper carrying the resentment and overcoming numerous obstacles to reach this day. When the verdict was announced, he burst into tears outside, weeping like a baby."Is everything outside taken care of?" Jasper asked Xavier with a faint smile while holding Alyssa.Xavier nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. Oh, and my phone was ringing off the hook just now. Almost all the famous media outlets in the country have sent interview invitations to you."Jasper replied, "I won't accept any interviews.""I know, so I politely declined them on your behalf." Xavier hadn't calmed down yet. His voice was still trembling as he asked, "By the way, do you want to hold a press conference?"Now that Madam Anne's identity has been exposed, your illegitimate child status has been cleared. Maybe you should hold a press conference to clear the air for Madam Anne
Actually, the flowers were prepared by Rose early on. She knew this would be a winning battle. With Silas around, victory was assured.After anonymously sending the flowers, Rose quietly walked toward the parking lot alone.Her long eyelashes fluttered, and so did her heart.Silas was dressed sharply in a prosecutor's sleek black suit in the courtroom. He passionately debated, forcing the villains to show their true sides.When Rose recalled his heroic demeanor, her cheeks gradually flushed, and her heart pounded uncontrollably."Since you're here, shouldn't you at least say hello before leaving, Ms. Emerson?" a familiar and clear voice came from behind.Rose suddenly stopped in her tracks. After taking a deep breath, she slowly turned around.Silas, still dressed in his prosecutor's uniform, stood tall and straight. He then walked up to her. "Also, shouldn't you tell me what the flowers you sent me mean?"Calming herself, Rose met his bright gaze. "Sunflowers symbolize victory
"Return it to me when you've had enough of this game," Silas said.Rose's eyes widened as she looked at the shiny badge in her palm.…Although Alyssa and Jasper had won the battle and felt relaxed, their spirits had been tense for days. Suddenly relaxing, they felt physically and mentally exhausted. They were eager to go home and have a good sleep together in their bed.Just as they got into the car, Jasper's phone rang.Alyssa glanced at it and saw that it was Landon calling. Her heart skipped a beat. "Jasper, answer it. It might be about Lauren."Jasper frowned slightly and answered, "Landon, what's wrong?""Jasper, are you and Lyse together?"Landon's voice sounded urgent and hoarse with worry. "Can you come to my house now? Lauren is crying so hard because of Sophia. I can't do anything. I'm really afraid she'll hurt herself if she keeps crying like this."Can you please come over? She's closest to Lyse. Maybe Lyse can comfort her. Please?"…The couple rushed to Landon
"So what?" Landon shouted.Lauren stared at Landon in utter bewilderment. Her reddened eyes widened as if they were about to tear through her eye sockets.Knowing he had misspoken, Landon hung his numb hands helplessly in the air. He was at a loss and in panic. "Lauren, I didn't mean it. I..."He forgot that, despite Sophia's heinous crimes, she was still Lauren's mother.He had always been ruthless and cold-hearted. Sometimes, even Angelina, who had seen all sorts of bloodshed and violence, was afraid of him when he got angry.He could decisively let go of many things that others cherish. He believed that if he could do it, others could too. They just needed to endure the pain.Suddenly, Lauren screamed. As if she didn't recognize Landon anymore, she pushed him away forcefully while he was distracted and ran toward the door without looking back."Lauren!" Shocked, Landon felt his blood run cold."Lauren!"Fortunately, Alyssa and Jasper arrived in time and intercepted the out-
Watching Landon's anxious, bloodshot eyes, Angelina felt a pang of heartache.In fact, she had initially disagreed with Landon's approach of letting Lauren face reality. She felt it was too cruel for someone as fragile as Lauren.However, the news of Sophia's death sentence couldn't be hidden forever. It was better to handle it promptly than to let it explode later.Yet, she overestimated Landon's control over Lauren and underestimated Lauren's power during her episode."Angelina, take Lauren back to her room to rest."Jasper then turned to Landon with concern. "Landon, you're not in a good state either. Let Angelina look after Lauren for now."Angelina carefully took Lauren from Landon's embrace and effortlessly carried her, steadily making her way upstairs.Alyssa and Jasper exchanged bewildered glances.Angelina, whom Landon had raised since childhood, could easily replace a grown man."I just wanted... I just wanted Lauren to accept the reality. I didn't expect it would tu
Alyssa continued, "Lauren likes art. She's exceptionally gifted in painting and has the potential to become a brilliant artist. Have you ever seriously nurtured her talent? Why haven't you hired a teacher to teach her painting?"Why haven't you sent her to prestigious art schools for further studies? Is her talent only meant to entertain you and make you happy? Do you know you're wasting her time and holding her back?"Landon felt like there was a massive hole in his heart that was causing him pain. "I'm not wasting Lauren's time. I'm not holding her back. Lauren is the only woman I want in my life. From the beginning, you and Jasper have known that I want to marry her!""What difference does it make if you marry her? It'll just be repeating the same days, or even worse."Alyssa shook her head in disappointment. "If you're incapable of taking care of Lauren, then you shouldn't have made promises. This is not the first time she has had her episodes, but this is definitely the most s
Jasper had not let go of his hatred for Sophia, nor had he become indifferent to the pain his mother had suffered. However, if he dwelled on the hatred, it would not only cause him to sink into misery but also make those around him unhappy.Alyssa nodded in agreement, sighing. "Landon, I know you and Jasper are like brothers, but you have Lauren now. You two are a family. Can you put her first next time? Don't always think about my man."Jasper and Landon were both speechless at her words."Also, don't think that Lauren wanting to see Sophia is a betrayal to us. She just wants to see Sophia one last time. This actually shows her pure heart and kindness. If Lauren were as resentful as Betty, wishing to deny her own origins, then you should be afraid."…Considering Lauren's unstable condition, Alyssa decided not to return that night, even if it meant not sleeping to take care of her.Since she wasn't leaving, Jasper naturally had to stay with her.Knowing Alyssa's high requiremen
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