Newton tried hard to keep a straight face. But he was so moved that his eyes welled up in tears. He felt as if he had just seen a reflection of his younger self. He was glad to know that Lauren was marrying her Mr. Right. …On the way home, Landon couldn't keep his delight to himself. Moreover, he also had a few drinks with Jasper. He kept Lauren in his embrace. At the same time, he sang songs and asked her for kisses endlessly. Angelina was in the driver's seat. She snuck a few glances through the rearview mirror. She maintained her usual expression on her face. However, deep down, she was elated. "Oh… Landon. Give… Give me a moment." Lauren was very tickled by Landon's touches. She placed her hands on his chest as she tried to push him away. Landon became woozy at the sight of the hickeys that had formed on her fair-skinned neck. He pulled her in tighter by the waist. "What is it? Don't you want me to show you some love? Hmm?" "That's… That's not it. Your saliva got
Alyssa exclaimed, "He even went through a critical stage. How could I not panic?" Alyssa broke out in a cold sweat that made her back damp. She felt numb. "Why didn't you call me at that time? Dad went through something like that… I'm his daughter. How could I not be by his side?" Jasper saw that her eyes had filled with tears. He felt as if his heart was being crushed. Immediately, he took her shaking hand and gave it a tight squeeze. Under usual circumstances, she would playfully tease Winston, occasionally displaying indifference towards him. But in times like these, her genuine anxiety for her father was clear. Jasper fully understood where she was coming from.Jonah looked into Alyssa's eyes. He sighed helplessly. "It was Dad who made us keep it from you." Alyssa felt a sharp pain in her heart. "Dad…" "When Dad was having the stroke, he instructed Mr. Benton not to inform us, especially you." Jonah tried his best to speak in a neutral tone. "Dad knows that you've been
"What did Dominic do this time?" Alyssa's tone was cold, and her eyes were deep.Jasper felt that Dominic, as a branch of the Taylor family and Winston's only younger brother, seemed to be anything but well-behaved.He had always thought the Taylors were a rare example of unity and beauty in a family. He never expected there would be such a black sheep among them."He made accumulator investments secretly to make more money. But the recent turmoil in the Mosgravia stock market caused him to lose a lot."Jonah frowned slightly and shook his head. "He could have withdrawn in time and saved himself. But for some reason, he thought the Mosgravia government would intervene to rescue the market, so he continued to purchase accumulators."But he didn't have enough funds, so he thought of embezzling the company's funds.""He's really a fool among fools! His brain is just filled with mush!" The furious Alyssa pounded her fist on the car window.Jasper squeezed her hand tightly, agreeing
Jonah continued, "Uncle Dominic used to be a smooth talker, always speaking up for Dad in front of Grandpa. He would sneak into the study at midnight to feed Dad and help him write the lines. He imitated Dad's handwriting so well that Grandpa never noticed that he wrote most of them."But at some point, Uncle Dominic changed. It appears that power, fame, and wealth can corrupt and change people's nature."Alyssa's gaze remained cold and resolute. "But even so, Dad has never mistreated or done any wrong to him. When he harmed KS Group for his selfish desires, did he ever think about Dad?"He only saw the glory and wealth of being the chairman, but he didn't realize how difficult it is to maintain power. Dad might be able to let this matter go, but I can't. I won't just let it slide like this!"Jasper and Jonah exchanged complex looks. They knew that the ruthless Alyssa would never tolerate Dominic's behavior.Warm air blew inside the car, but the atmosphere remained cold and oppres
Axel's eyes were dark with exhaustion. He gritted his teeth in frustration. "Your snoring sounds like thunder during a storm. Are you trying to blast me to death?"Silas followed closely behind, holding a pillow and yawning. Despite being tired and barely speaking in coherence, he retorted, "Do you think you're innocent? If I'm thunder, you're the hammer used for construction. And you grind your teeth, too!"Whoever marries you will surely suffer from premature aging.""Silas! Axel!" Alyssa was moved to tears, feeling guilty for her thoughtless words earlier. How could she say such things about her brothers?The Taylor family's children had always been reliable. They were always there when needed. "Lyse!" Silas and Axel suddenly had no trace of sleepiness as they rushed over to Alyssa."Silas came over right away, and Axel rushed back from overseas as quickly as possible. Liam is on his way." Jonah's voice was gentle.He walked over and lightly patted Alyssa's shoulder, giving
The Taylors stood there, looking cold and stern.Alyssa's sharp gaze met Jameson as he walked toward her, and she suddenly felt as if she had traveled back in time.Who would have thought that her childhood friend would become her most terrifying enemy?What started as calling him a "little bastard" as a joke in their childhood had turned into a chilling reality—he had become a heartless bastard.Jameson's delicate features were solemn as he approached. As he approached Alyssa, he flashed a heartfelt smile. "Lyse, I'm really happy to see you again."Jasper's eyes darkened, and his tensed hand immediately encircled Alyssa's waist, pulling her into his embrace. He became a formidable barrier for Alyssa.Letting this viper in was his idea, but at this moment, he was finding it hard to contain his own emotions."But seeing you only makes me feel sick, like I want to throw up." Alyssa's words dripped with disgust as she looked at Jameson.Jameson, seemingly oblivious, continued to g
Jameson's gaze darkened, and a burning sense of shame flushed his cheeks.Julien was quite sharp-tongued, mastering the art of cursing without using nasty words.In the end, Jameson had no choice but to leave the medicine behind and depart from the hospital with Carl."Jul, why did you take Jamiper's stuff? We don't want them!"Alyssa felt anxious, finding Julien's actions incomprehensible. "Besides, who can guarantee that what he brought is medicine and not poison?""I can." Julien's expression suddenly became serious.He was usually nonchalant, so his seriousness surprised Alyssa and Jasper."I can analyze the medicine. And that Jameson can't be such a dumbass to brazenly bring poison to visit his beloved woman's father. He doesn't have shit for brains, does he?" Julien crossed his arms, shaking his head.Jonah turned his gaze toward Julien, frowning slightly as he cleared his throat.Julien had truly gone bad.When he first returned to the country, his swear words were lim
The bad news weighed on Alyssa's chest like a boulder, rolling back and forth and causing her unbearable pain."Lyse, don't be upset. Medical technology is advanced nowadays. Winston will definitely recover."Jasper held her tightly in his arms. With his large hand on the back of her neck, he pressed her flushed face against his chest.He comforted her patiently and firmly, "If it's not possible here, I'll accompany you to take Winston abroad—all over the world to find the best doctors. He'll be fine. Don't worry. Everything will be alright.""I'm sorry, Lyse, kids..." Mandy finally couldn't hold back anymore. She closed her eyes, letting her tears flow freely."Don't blame Julien. It's my fault. I made him keep silent. I was afraid that telling you would make you sad and scared. I thought I could keep it from you until we found a solution. It's my fault. Blame me..."Julien's heart ached. "Aunt Mandy, please don't say that.""We get it, Mandy." Jonah forced himself to control h
"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