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
The more Alyssa remained quiet and endured silently, the more Jasper felt bad for her.After some time, Julien hurriedly approached with the test results. "The results are out."The Taylors all stood up, with Alyssa being the first to rush to Julien and take the report."There's no problem?" She stared at the data on the paper in disbelief.Julien nodded solemnly. "Surprisingly, there are no issues with the medicine Jameson brought. Not only that, but it's a targeted medicine developed in Mosgravia this year specifically for stroke patients. It's even more effective than the medication Aunt Mandy had."Amidst their astonishment, hope ignited in their eyes.Despite feeling relieved, Jasper couldn't shake off his deep sense of guilt and sorrow.He wished he could have been the one to help Alyssa. But it turned out that Jameson had been the one to offer assistance."Oh! That's great!" Silas exclaimed excitedly. "If we start giving this medicine to Dad, his illness will be treated,
"Don't worry, Mr. Landon. Ms. Lauren is fine," Angelina reassured.Landon breathed a sigh of relief. "Then what is it?"Angelina paused for a moment before speaking with a cold tone, "I just received news that Mr. Cornelius has sent his men to bring Ms. Zoe back to Solana City from Yoarkley.""What?"Landon widened his eyes, feeling a surge of anger rising within him. "Didn't you have people watching her? How could you let her come back?"Angelina felt guilty. "Our men had been keeping an eye on her all along, and everything was fine. But Ms. Zoe suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest. Our men were afraid something would happen to her, so they rushed her to the hospital.""She's perfectly healthy. She doesn't have any heart problems! How could she have a cardiac arrest?""I'm just as surprised as you are," Angelina said, her voice tinged with frustration and helplessness."After the incident, I immediately ordered them to block the news. But as soon as Ms. Zoe got admitted to the h
Landon was so angry that he gnashed his teeth so hard that it hurt.The death of his father was the greatest source of pain in his life. He would feel a pang of pain just hearing his father's name. But now, Cornelius was using Bill's death to attack him, all for the sake of protecting Zoe.It was a disgrace to Bill."Do you know that your mother fainted on the spot when she heard that Zoe was admitted to the emergency room? Luckily, the servants were there to catch her in time. Otherwise, if she had collapsed and hit her head, you might have lost her."Cornelius continued, "Landon, I know you're close with Jasper and Alyssa, but never forget that you are a member of the Harper family. You're about to become Harper Group's president—my successor."At this crucial moment, you should focus on managing the company's affairs. Other matters don't need your attention."Cornelius stared at Landon coldly. "I heard that you have already taken your girlfriend to propose to the Beckett famil
Jasper said, "Your family is all inside...""So? Do I have to join them? Will squeezing in get me some reward?" Axel tilted his head and narrowed his eyes.Looking at his mischievous expression, Jasper smiled faintly.Despite Axel's tough demeanor, the faint redness at the corners of his eyes betrayed his concern for Winston.A voice called out urgently, "Axel!"Liam had rushed back from Leichtown overnight. He was still in his military uniform."Liam!" Axel's eyes lit up, and he hurried over."How's Dad?" Liam's eyes were red from exhaustion. He was decisive on the battlefield, but now he appeared cautious.Axel's usually sharp gaze softened as he placed his hand on Liam's shoulder badge. "Don't worry. He has woken up.""That's good. I'll go in and see Dad."Liam finally relaxed. Just as he wanted to enter the ward, he noticed Jasper's tall figure standing nearby. His expression darkened at once."Why is he here?"Jasper's throat tightened, his long lashes trembling slight
Jasper held a deep respect for Alyssa's brothers, particularly Axel, whom he found to be kindred spirits. Their connection felt like a reunion with a friend from long ago, despite meeting later in life."Oh, goodness gracious! Winston!"Dominic emerged from the corridor with hurried steps and a troubled countenance, urgently beckoning for Winston. Close on his heels came the senior shareholders of the KS Group.Jasper's and Axel's faces turned grim at the sight of this.Winston had just regained consciousness, yet Dominic wasted no time hurrying to his side. This could only mean Dominic had eyes in the hospital, ensuring he was abreast of every unfolding situation. He pulled out all the stops to present himself as deeply invested in Winston's recovery. However, his underlying intention was to disseminate news of Winston's dire illness, generating pressure to sow discord within the KS Group and capitalize on the resulting upheaval for personal gain.While Axel lacked the business
As Jasper spoke, a wave of exchanged glances rippled through the KS Group members, their collective surprise directed at Dominic.Dominic felt a chill run down his spine as he met Jasper's cold gaze. As a testament to their longstanding relationship, Winston had extended a helping hand to Dominic when it was found that the latter had misappropriated company funds. This clandestine act remained shrouded in secrecy within the company's walls. So, how had Jasper stumbled upon this information? Could Winston have confided in him?Winston's recognition of Jasper's status as his son-in-law hinted at a level of closeness and mutual understanding that extended beyond mere business dealings. This relationship could pave the way for a formidable alliance that might spell the end for the KS Group."Haha… Mr. Beckett, you certainly have a sense of humor," Dominic forced a smile, his mind racing. "I'm not sure what you're referring to regarding 50 million."He attempted to downplay the seri
"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