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
Suddenly, Alyssa felt Jasper's hand on the small of her back. He pressed her against his warm chest."Mmm…" Her body went limp, and her breath caught. Jasper sealed her lips with a look of desire and guilt. He kissed her deeply, passionately, and freely in front of Newton.Newton and Ben looked delighted at the scene as their hearts raced. Given Jasper's nature, he consistently exhibited reserved, undiplomatic, and challenging traits. When Jasper was a teen, Newton had seriously considered bringing him in for a psychiatric evaluation multiple times, but he worried he might injure the poor kid's ego.Now, Jasper was a changed man all because of Alyssa."Don't! Grandpa is here." Alyssa shoved Jasper away awkwardly with a blush on her cheeks."Grandpa is family." Jasper put a hand on her waist. He blurted out, "Besides, why can't I kiss my lover in public?"She shyly pressed her moist lips together at his flirting.In the past, all he could do was carefully trod around. Every t
As Newton's grandson, Jasper did not take after him much. All he took after was Javier's cold-heartedness. Jasper thought he was getting better, but he finally realized that he could never measure up to the depth of Newton's affection for Doris."I will never hurt you again," he said in a trembling voice after a frustrating silence.Alyssa placed a finger on his lips and chuckled. "Yeah. You won't."…After the couple enjoyed a hearty dinner with Newton, Ben sent someone to get the fireworks.Seated in the wheelchair, Newton smiled as the couple lit the fireworks. Jasper and Alyssa waved the sparklers around like two happy kids on Christmas Day."Look at the wide smile on Mr. Jasper's face," remarked Ben, who thoughtfully draped a blanket on Newton's lap. "I still remember the time he first started living with you. "His height was around your waist level. He was dressed in oversized clothes, looking tanned, underweight, and tiny. Now, he's a man with his own responsibilities."
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