In an instant, Landon felt like he had been shot in the heart. The pain caused his sturdy body to tremble."Back in the Beckett family, Lauren had no sense of self, and she wasn't happy at all. Now that she's with you, she's become the woman you keep by your side, living life according to your arrangements and preferences. I don't think being too compliant is good for her."Jasper lowered his eyes and took a sip of wine. "Take a few days apart from each other to calm down. It's a chance to think about the future of your relationship and how you want to proceed.""Jasper... do you even hear what you're saying?"Landon slammed his hands on the table, causing the wine in the glass decanter to ripple. His eyes were redder than the wine within."When you pursued Alyssa, I never once asked you to give up! Now, when I need advice, you don't help... and you even want me to give up?"In the end, I'm just a worthless and irresponsible bastard in your eyes! You never wanted Lauren and me to
Despite complaining about discomfort, Alyssa nestled comfortably against his chest and sighed, "These two really worry me.""Lauren just had an argument with Landon. Is it appropriate to leave them alone now?" Jasper asked in a low voice."Lauren still loves Landon. I know that. After this incident, Landon must also realize his mistake. Let him go in and comfort Lauren. The person who caused the problem should be the one to solve it."Jasper nodded, smoothing the strands of hair that had fallen beside her cheek with his fingertips. "You're right.""Angelina just told me that Cornelius will convene a shareholder meeting for the Harper Group this month. He's officially appointing Landon as the president of Harper Group and letting him enter the board of directors. Then he'll go to the Beckett family to propose marriage."Jasper's eyes flickered, but he didn't say anything."What's wrong? You don't look too happy. Do you not approve of this marriage?"Alyssa lifted her hand to gent
Landon blamed himself for what he had done.If only he could have a little more patience. If only he could consider Lauren a bit more."Don't rush it, Mr. Landon. Take it slow," Angelina comforted him softly.Just as she was about to leave, Lauren suddenly hugged her from behind and cried out, "Angie, don't leave! Don't leave!""Madam Lauren, don't be afraid. It's Mr. Landon," Angelina quickly reassured her."Don't leave... Please...""Alright, I won't leave. I'll stay with you." Angelina looked at the pale-faced Landon and felt both bitter and conflicted.With reddened eyes, Landon knelt in front of Lauren. He wanted to hold her hand, but she avoided him."I know I was wrong. If I ever say anything harsh to you again... you... you can let Richie out to bite me, okay?"Lauren bit her lip tightly. Even with blood beads forming on her lips, she didn't say a word."Punish me however you want, but please don't ignore me... Darling, please..."The formidable and fearsome Landon w
Sean and Tatiana didn't dare delay and hurried to the hospital.Sean held Tatiana's hand as they arrived at the ward. At the door, they could hear Simon, the unrepentant bastard, shouting inside, mixed with Sinead's sobbing."Dad! Mom! I'm in this state today all because of Sean, that double-cross dickhead! He's your son and my own brother, but did you see what he did in court?"He's been working for Jasper and Alyssa, acting as their pawn! And it's his own brother he's ruining! I'm going to be doomed because of him!"Simon was in a rage, swearing profusely. No one could imagine that the one speaking behind the closed door was none other than Simon Lynch, the lawyer who once enjoyed unparalleled prestige in Solana City.Sean's anger flared up. His sharp jawline tensed, and he clenched his fists so hard that the cracking was audible.Tatiana heard everything clearly as well. She squeezed his hand tightly and stared into his reddened eyes. She subtly shook her head, indicating that
Simon was already in his 30s and still seeking his father's protection when trouble arose. It was truly laughable."Taty and I genuinely love each other. Everything you said is nothing but nonsense and slander!"Sean, full of indignation, spoke with unwavering righteousness. His words were resounding as if he and Simon were once again standing in a courtroom engaged in a heated debate. "I've done everything out of my own will. No one forced me!"I stand with Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett because they speak up for the weak in society. They have hearts set on righteousness! Unlike you, who aid and abet others, only seeking personal gain! Your current state is a result of your own actions. It's your karma!""Dad! Mom! Do you hear what Sean is saying?"Simon's arrogant demeanor in front of Sean diminished. He began to play the victim in front of his parents, trying to whitewash himself and use his parents to pressure Sean."I'm a lawyer. A lawyer's duty is to win cases for their clients
Tatiana suppressed her grievances and forced out the brightest smile she could muster, even adding a hint of sweetness to her tone as she spoke, "I heard you were ill, Mrs. Lynch. Sean rushed over to see you. He really cared for you."If you don't mind, may I look after you these days? Just let me know whatever you want to eat. Whether it's soup, stew, or snacks, I can make them for you."Observing this, Sean felt his heart ache again. He wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her tightly against him.He pitied her.He pitied her for trying so hard to please his parents and for sacrificing herself just to leave a good impression on them.She was his treasure. Yet, at this moment, he felt like he was tarnishing her.Sinead was initially pleased to see the daughter of the Taylor family showing such concern for her. However, upon witnessing Sean being affectionate with Tatiana, she felt a pang of jealousy. She thought Tatiana was merely trying to win them over and seduce her son,
Tatiana felt like she was being plunged into an icy abyss, with a hurricane of cold sweeping through her chest. The flush of embarrassment on her cheeks drained away, leaving her face pale.As she looked into Sinead's tear-filled eyes, she saw through her pretense and detected the disdain in her heart.In the past, she might have turned and fled, hiding in a corner and wallowing in self-pity and tears. But this time, an inexplicable courage surged within her—a courage to face the Lynches directly.She loved Sean. That was all.Was love wrong? Why should she bow down to them?If she ran away in disgrace now, wouldn't she be tacitly agreeing that what Sinead said was true?"Ms. Tatiana, do you understand what I'm saying?" Sinead still appeared frail and helpless, but her tone was icy.Sean's shoulders trembled with anger. The veins in his neck bulged as if about to burst. "You can vent your anger at me! How dare you speak to the woman I love like this? What has Taty done to deserv
Tatiana continued, "And also, you said that Lyse has been using Sean, trampling on his dignity, and even claimed that my family looks down on him. These are all baseless accusations."If it were true, my parents would never have agreed to my relationship with Sean, and my father wouldn't have acknowledged him as his godson."The Lynch couple was shocked. Godson? When did that happen? How come they had never heard Sean mention it?Recalling this, Simon felt jealousy and resentment bubbling up inside him.All these years, he had been currying favor with everyone he could, only to have Sean become Winston's godson just because he was close with the Taylors.If he had known things would turn out like this, he would have tried to ingratiate himself with the Taylor family from the beginning. Perhaps by now, he would have become a son-in-law or even the Director of Legal Affairs at KS Group.Then Sean wouldn't be in the picture at all.Forget being a godson. He would have happily settl
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
The hospital ward was bathed in a dim, yellow glow from the bedside lamp. The silence was thick, yet the room held a strange warmth—an unfamiliar comfort that felt oddly familiar to Remy.Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to sit up. His eyes fell on Mandy, who was asleep beside his bed. Her hair was a mess, and her swollen eyes suggested she'd been crying. She was sound asleep. Remy stiffened. His breath quickened as he stared at her fragile figure. Slowly, he leaned forward, his fingers lifting slightly, tempted to reach out.Just as his hand hovered close, Mandy's lashes fluttered. In her sleep, she murmured, "Damien… Damien… I miss you so much…" Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unbidden.A pang tugged at Remy's heart. Without thinking, he brushed away her tears with his calloused fingers. The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through him, sharp and electrifying. Pain throbbed at his temples, but beneath it was a warmth he didn't want to let g
Justin's casual question hit Javier like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through him, freezing his expression. His voice trembled with fear as he barked, "What nonsense is that? Are you accusing me of causing Chester's death? I'm your father—how could you think I'd do such a thing?""It's not an accusation. Just the facts," Justin replied coolly, crossing his legs and savoring his tea with unsettling calm. "And I'm not condemning you. In fact, I understand why you did it. I'm facing the same dilemma now."Javier's breathing grew ragged. He had watched Justin grow from a child into the man before him—now a predator, circling with quiet menace."You were meant to be the heir as the eldest son," Justin continued, his voice smooth as silk. "But Grandpa favored Uncle Chester, handing him major projects, grooming him in plain sight. "Uncle Chester's reputation soon eclipsed yours. He was a natural leader, adept at business, with one fatal flaw—he was kind. Too kind. Unlike you."Justin