Tatiana wanted to comfort Sean, but she remembered she was the reason for everything that happened and didn't think she had any right to speak. So, she guiltily lowered her head with tears welling up in her eyes. "Taty, don't blame yourself. You have nothing to do with everything turning out this way." Sean comforted her. His voice was extremely gentle.Tatiana's eyes were puffy. Her lips trembled. "But…""You are the love of my life and the future I chose. I will do everything in my ability to see our relationship through. No one can stop me."As he finished, Steven's voice came from behind, "Sean!"Both of them turned around. They saw Steven running toward them."Steven, thank you for standing up for Taty. Thank you for standing on our side."A burning gaze simmered in Sean's reddened eyes. "We will always remember how good you have been to us. We will do whatever it takes to repay you for your kindness."Resentment lingered in Steven's eyes. "Sean, you are my only brother.
Tatiana changed into the oversized "dress" with excitement, spinning joyfully in front of the mirror. She found more happiness in it than in wearing any other fancy dresses.Suddenly, her phone rang, startling her. She tiptoed to the bedside, took the phone, and saw from the caller ID that it was Lyla. Her heart raced, panic setting in. Eventually, concerned that Lyla was worried about her, she chose to answer the call."Taty, why aren't you home? Where did you go?" Lyla sounded very worried."I-I'm fine, Mom. I'm doing alright.""Where are you now?"I am in Solana City with Sean."Tatiana mustered the courage and said, "I'm not going home, Mom. Sean is upset, so I want to stay with him."The conversation lapsed into silence, making her feel uncomfortable.After a long while, Lyla asked softly, "Are both of you staying at a hotel or Alyssa's house in Solana City?""No, Sean has a house in Solana City," Tatiana became softer as she spoke. Her face blushed."So, I see you'v
Tatiana said, "No! Don't think this way, Sean. I feel so blessed every day to be with you. I've never felt like I've suffered."Holding Sean's damp face, Tatiana panicked, and her eyes reddened. Each tear that rolled down his face felt like a pit carved into her heart.No one would know how strong Sean was more than she did. He had partnered with Jasper and Alyssa for so long and fought for them, becoming one of the most powerful people they had. Yet, that very same man hid in the kitchen to cry about what happened to her that day. The pain must be so great that he felt this dejected. Sean lowered his gaze, his voice strained with pain as he spoke, "Taty, you are a cherished member of the Taylor family, the darling of Mr. Winston and Madam Lyla. Mr. Jonah and Ms. Alyssa hold you dear. "I've witnessed your growth, the carefree days of your youth—licking lollipops, playfully hiding behind Ms. Alyssa. It's etched vividly in my memory. If it weren't for me, your life would have bee
Sean tearfully embraced his beloved and said, "I may have come from the Lynch family, but the moment they started insulting you, I no longer had anything to do with them."Tatiana was both touched and concerned. "Sean…""I don't have a home anymore," Sean said with a bitter chuckle, though most of what he felt was a sense of release. "From now on, I'm just Sean Lynch. The third son of the Lynch family has ceased to exist.""Who says you don't have a home?" Tatiana's brows furrowed as she pressed her fingers to Sean's lips. "You'll always have a family as long as I'm here. My family is your family."…As the night continued, both Tatiana and Sean naturally slept together.But they only slept in the same bed, nothing more. Sean lay stiffly beside Tatiana in pajamas like a canned sardine. There was even a clear divide between him and Tatiana on the bed.He could smell the shampoo Tatiana had used for her hair. He could hear her breathing and even feel her warmth.Sean swallowed
The sky was dark as rain drizzled from the heaven above. It was the perfect weather to pay respects to one's loved ones at the cemetery.Alyssa and Jasper had come to pay respects to Anne again. They had brought flowers and hurriedly cleaned the gravestone up as if planning to have a meal with Jasper's mother.Though Anne had long passed away, she must not be lonely now that Alyssa and Jasper tended to her grave and missed her so."Lyse and I have gotten revenge for you, Mom. Sophia's been sentenced to death. 20 years… it's finally over." Jasper clasped Alyssa's hand tightly. "Retribution will always come in time. I hope you can finally be at peace now."The two then bowed respectfully to the gravestone.Just then, steady footsteps rang out from nearby."It's Grandpa!" Alyssa turned over excitedly.Jasper's pupils dilated in surprise.Newton was pushed over by Ben in his wheelchair, not far away. There was a bouquet of white lilies in Newton's lap—Anne's favorite. When Anne was
Both Alyssa and Jasper were speechless.Newton really had a sharp tongue. But it was such good tongue-lashing!"Dad, Anne was my wife. I'm just here to pay her my respects. Why are all of you antagonizing me?" Javier couldn't stand Newton's words anymore. He immediately lost composure in front of his father."Your wife? Isn't your wife that criminal, Sophia Kirkman?" Newton snorted.Javier's hands balled into fists as he burned with anger.Newton had never once affirmed Sophia's position as his daughter-in-law, yet now, here he was, doing so in such a sarcastic way. What else was Newton doing but insulting and humiliating Javier?"Dad, the truth about Anne's death was late by 20 years. I'm just as devastated after finding out about it!" Javier's eyes were bloodshot as he pointed at his own chest. "I was under so much pressure all those years ago because I brought Anne and Jasper home. I did it even though you opposed my decision! Didn't I do that all because I loved Anne? You s
Alyssa and Jasper shot one another a knowing look, their hearts beating in unison.Javier's face had long paled as he watched them leave. It felt like all the blood in his veins had turned to ice.…There were three luxury cars waiting outside the cemetery.Alyssa and Jasper climbed into the first car while Newton sat in the second. Soon, Javier walked out of the cemetery with Rory by his side, the former looking quite dejected."Mr. Javier," Ben greeted respectfully. "Mr. Newton is asking for you to join his car. He would like to speak to you about something."Javier's eyes darkened.The father and son sat together in the car as if an invisible wall separated them."Did you want to talk to me, Dad?" Javier asked quietly.Newton said calmly as he stared straight ahead, "Now that Sophia has admitted to her crime, only death awaits her—unless you still have feelings for her and plan on reducing her sentence. "I'm still going to make myself clear right now—I will definitely mak
It was public knowledge that Newton, despite retiring from his role as the Beckett Group's chairman, held the company stocks and remained the shareholder and the honorary chairman across many other companies.He remained in control of Brighton Technology and Alcove Co. Although Javier was eager to get his hands on the two companies, Newton refused to give him the opportunity.However, Newton had breezily given Jasper power in the two companies, which was clearly an act of favoritism. It was also a subtle declaration that Jasper was the "chosen one" and the heir of Beckett Group."Why are you quiet? Do you disagree with my decision?" Newton asked coldly."I'm sure you have thought over it carefully," Javier replied. After a pause, Javier added, "But you've given Jasper too much stock ownership when he's still young. I worry that he might feel pressured by it. It's also a distraction that might affect his growth in the future.""I know what Jasper is capable of. Even if the sky fa
"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