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 "He could have withdrawn in time and saved himself.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
As the call connected, Jameson sat upright in anticipation."Sir...""Mr. Schmidt, isn't it late at night in your time zone? Haven't you slept yet?" The person who answered the phone was Sheryl.Jameson's heart skipped a beat. He said in surprise, "Ms. Gillis?""It's morning in Mosgravia now. Sir is visiting the Jesseltons and can't take your call now."Sheryl's tone carried a hint of contempt as she said, "If you have something to say, you can tell me, and I'll convey it to him."Frowning, Jameson clenched his fist.He had been working with that man for so many years and devoted himself tirelessly, but he still felt an emptiness in his heart. He felt that there was an invisible barrier between them. He even doubted whether the man truly regarded him as a confidant.And yet, this Sheryl woman, who had only recently joined the man's side, had gained such great trust from him, even being allowed to answer his calls.Could someone as wise and mighty as him have a weakness for wom
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
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc