Sophia reminisced about her life. She had lived a glorious life. However, to achieve that, she always had to sacrifice a person to reach a greater height.Anne Bartley was her first victim. Never had she thought that the woman, who was dead for two decades, would be the nail in her coffin.Sophia had long regretted killing Anne. Anne didn't have to die. Keeping Anne around wouldn't have affected anything.However, Sophia acted like she was under a spell at that time. She harbored a strong resentment against Anne. On top of that, she banked on Javier's affection and acted lawlessly, thinking that she could do anything she liked under his protection.Alas, Javier's love was nothing but an illusion.Sophia pulled her hair out and held strands of gray hair in her hands. The pain kept her sober. She had finally seen through Javier's selfishness and heartlessness.He had never loved her. She didn't believe he loved Anne either. Otherwise, why would he easily believe that Anne had taken
Sophia's heart quivered in the face of Lauren's painful accusations.She hated Jasper, but she admitted that he was good to Lauren, better than she'd ever treated Lauren.Thinking back, Jasper didn't seem as despicable as he had seemed. Too bad there could only be one Mrs. Beckett. Javier had made Anne her rival.After a pause, she finally confessed, "I… I was pregnant with Betty at that time. All I wanted was a recognition to give her a better life and future…""Well, you got your recognition, didn't you? Dad acknowledged you, so you had achieved your goal. Why did you have to kill Jasper's mom?"Jasper never hated me or treated me badly even though I'm your daughter. He and Alyssa treat me like their sister. They show me love and care that I would otherwise never have the chance to experience. I owe them a lot. How could you be so cruel to him?"Lauren was no fool. She understood that Sophia was a selfish woman, and she knew how coldly Sophia had treated her. For that, she had
Landon hugged Lauren as they exited the prison. Despite being enveloped in his warmth, she still trembled in his arms."Darling, you…" He pursed his lips as he struggled to find the right words to say to her.What should he say to comfort Lauren? He thought, "It's not like I can tell her, 'Let's come again' or 'I'm sorry for your loss.'""Landon." Head hung low and eyes teary, she said, "Thank you… Thank you for letting me see my mom for the last time. That's enough for me. I will not ask you for anything else.""Darling, what are you talking about?" Worried, he plopped onto one knee in front of her and grabbed her hand. He cast a frantic look at her misty eyes. "What do you mean you'll not ask me for anything else? What's the point of having me around? I will lose my motivation in the competition for power. What will I live for?""Landon…" Her voice trailed off as she stumbled back shyly."Just let me know anything you want. No matter what it is, I'll try my best to fulfill yo
Ever since Sophia's sentencing and Betty's public humiliation by Javier in the court corridor, Betty felt as if she had lost her status in the family. Javier had lost any remaining affection for her.Betty had been living her life relying on Sophia and enjoying the wealth from corruption. To her, money was nothing.However, things were different now that Sophia had met her downfall. Sophia's private assets were frozen for investigation. Unfortunately, Betty had saved all her wealth under Sophia's account, so she had nothing to her name now.Apart from two properties given to her by Javier, two luxury cars, and three million dollars in her personal bank account, she had nothing left.Betty, used to an extravagant and debauched life, could not accept the feeling of poverty. Javier would notice if she sold off the cars and properties for money. What could she do with a mere three million dollars? Even her tips to the male hosts were worth more than that!After two days of racking her
Hearing that, Betty's mind whizzed. She scrambled up from the floor. "A-Are you able to come home? When will you return? Are you back to take revenge on Landon?"Zoe hissed through gritted teeth, "I will give him trouble if he makes my life miserable. From the moment he slapped me in front of Alyssa, Jasper, and the high society of Solana City, I stopped seeing him as my brother. He's just my enemy now!""Right! Landon has crossed a line. How could he abandon his sister even before he marries Lauren? Not only that, Landon is turning against his mom. Imagine if he marries Lauren. What will happen to you and your mom?" Betty sniffled. She then started fanning the flames and backstabbing Lauren."Hmph! Stop acting like you're thinking for me. You're only saying that because you need me back to take revenge for you," Zoe called out Betty's despicable motives. She added, "You lost your mom's backing. You have no power without her. All you can do is watch your stupid sister marry into w
Feeling bad, Jasper patted Landon on the shoulder. He offered, "Bring Lauren to our place when you're free. I'll get Lyse to comfort her. She listens well to Lyse. I learned a few new recipes lately. You guys can have a chat with Lyse and taste my cooking."Landon's face fell. He trembled. "Are you inviting us to dinner or poisoning us?"Jasper was rendered speechless."Is one victim not enough for you? How could you drag Lauren into all of this? Don't you feel guilty, Jasper?""I'm inviting you over to show you how I take care of Lyse. Learn from me, and your relationship with Lauren will improve by leaps and bounds."Loving a woman doesn't only mean keeping her company. You need to try out new things that you've never done before for her. You need to learn new skills," advised Jasper with a warm and tender look in his eyes.He had taken revenge for his mom. Alyssa was in love with him. At this moment, he felt he had achieved peak happiness. Therefore, he wished the same for Lan
"Of course I'm okay with it. I'm fine with anything as long as I'm with you, and if it's for Grandpa," Jasper said with a smile."I feel sorry…" Alyssa wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulders. She said in a muffled voice, "Ben told me that Grandpa hasn't been feeling well for a while, but I couldn't tell until now. "He even got up from his wheelchair at the cemetery. Whenever I think of that, I feel horrible. How could I have carelessly missed it?""It's not your fault, Lyse. You've done well," Jasper comforted her. "Let's pay more attention to him in the future. I bet he doesn't want to stress you out. He might refuse to see you if he learns that you know about his condition," said Jasper.Then, he thought, "Did Landon and I have the honor to date the two kindest souls in the world? We're two lucky guys!"…The mood in Crescent Bay villa was gay due to Jasper and Alyssa's presence. Alyssa performed a checkup on Newton, after which she prepared so
It was good news, but the air grew heavy. After a pause, Alyssa revealed calmly, "Cyrus told me that Sophia went berserk before the death sentence. She peed herself and couldn't walk straight. They had to drag her to the execution chamber. It was such a cathartic scene."Jasper finally croaked, "Was it by lethal injection or firing?""Lethal injection." She looked deep into his eyes. The corner of her lips lifted. "Firing would have been too merciful for her. She struggled in pain for ten minutes until her heart stopped."She was strapped to a chair by the time of her death, limbs stiff and face contorted. The short ten minutes of torture might not be enough to make up for what she did to Anne, but at least justice was served."Jasper lowered his gaze. The news stirred complicated emotions in him. Sophia Kirkman was dead. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.He should have applauded in glee, but he did not feel as excited as he thought he would be since the case had dragged out for too
Alyssa followed Jasper into the study. The door closed behind her with a soft click. She didn't move to switch on the lights or sit down. Instead, she stood quietly in the dim room.They faced each other, eyes locked. In the darkness, their gazes seemed brighter, charged with emotions that neither could put into words. Whatever stirred within them was tangled and silent—kept at bay by something unspoken, as if a wall had formed between heart and mouth. After a pause, Alyssa offered a faint smile. Her voice was soft, almost courteous. "Go ahead, Mr. Beckett. I won't be staying long tonight—I've made other arrangements."It was clear she didn't want to be alone in a room with him.Jasper's chest tightened, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion he couldn't define. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "You didn't vote against the motion at today's board meeting. I wanted to know… are we still on the same side?"Alyssa's gaze lowered, her voice steady and calm. "You didn't object
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"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