Jasper's entire body buzzed with energy, but he now felt even more upset for Mandy. "Mandy, you're Lyse's family, which makes you my family as well. I can disregard my reputation, but I cannot bear to see you suffering so!"Jasper's heartfelt words made tears flood Alyssa's eyes. She hugged him tightly, her heart feeling so warm inside.Mandy was choked up with emotion. She did her best to smile and said, "Thank you.""Don't worry, Mandy. I won't let you suffer in silence." Alyssa's eyes glinted as she spoke, "If I don't teach Dominic a lesson after this… I'll change my last name to his!"Jasper looked at Alyssa curiously. She must've gone silly with anger. If she changed her last name to Dominic's, she'd still be a Taylor.Mandy said gently, "Lyse, your father is still ill and in an unstable state. He nearly relapsed because of the commotion earlier, so it's best you don't take any rash action these days so as to not upset your father. You can discuss things with him once he's al
Alyssa listened to Mandy's words, eyes slowly tearing up.Battered and bruised… Barely breathing… What suffering did her mother go through to have nearly lost her life in a foreign country?Jasper held on to Alyssa's trembling hand, asking Mandy curiously, "During all the years Mrs. Taylor was here in Belbanks alone and after giving birth to so many children, did she never once thought to contact her own family or return to her home country?"Mandy shook her head, eyes downcast. "No, not once. Winston even changed Jennifer's lawful nationality and gave her a new identity, cutting her off entirely from her past."Both Jasper and Alyssa were even more confused now. What did Jennifer undergo to be willing to hide her identity and permanently part ways with her home country?Alyssa was all the more curious about her mother's identity now."I don't have answers for whatever more you might want to ask, Lyse. Your father has also privately reminded me on countless occasions to never
All of Julien's anger had dissipated in an instant."You must be exhausted from the past couple of days of working. You haven't had dinner yet, have you?" Jonah held up a plastic bag in his hand. He continued, "I remembered that you mentioned you don't usually eat carbs. Instead, you have fried chicken to reward yourself when you're under a lot of stress and tired. So I've brought you some fried chicken. I don't know what flavor you like, so I bought several."Julien swallowed hungrily. In the end, he still let Jonah enter the office.But to save his pride, Julien put on a poker face and sat back in his chair, refusing to look at Jonah. "There's no need to be so polite, Mr. Jonah. Helping the sick and injured is my duty as a doctor, so I'll always perform to my best.""Is someone angry?" Jonah asked instead, ignoring how distant Julien was being.Julien blinked quickly. "W-Who's angry here? Not me.""If you weren't angry, why were you crying?"Julien's heart pounded wildly,
"Mr. Jonah, you're such an intelligent man. I'm sure you must know what I want based on this kiss alone, no?" Julien panted out, cheeks flushed as he clung to Jonah's neck.Jonah's lips pulled tight for a moment, now stained with oil. His hands clenched slightly as he said, "Wipe your mouth first next time."Julien licked his lips and grinned sneakily. "No."…Alyssa spent her days deep in thought after hearing about her mother's past from Mandy. She lost her appetite after feeding Winston his dinner and ended up staring out the window in the hallway in a daze.She found herself suddenly embraced by a familiar body, feeling the man's presence instantly surround her.Jasper hugged her tight, tucking his chin into her neck as he murmured, "Aren't you going to eat anything? I had Xavier buy so many of your favorite foods.""I'm not hungry." Alyssa's dim eyes grew downcast."Not hungry? I still remember how you finished an entire grain bowl in the middle of the night." Even now, Ja
Alyssa's eyes lit up with the brilliance of a thousand suns. She immediately hugged Jasper by the waist. She asked, "Why did you say so?"He wrapped an arm around her waist. Their figures overlapped on the beach. He replied, "It was a wild guess.""Hmph…" Her mouth was downturned, visibly disappointed.It worried Jasper to see Alyssa upset. Panicking, he racked his brain and explained, "I remember that Kontina is the closest country to the Northuria Sea. Isn't Kontina's maritime territory connected to the Northuria Sea? I can't think of any other country that fits the description."That makes me wonder if your mom had illegally migrated from Kontina to escape from something back in Kontina. After all, Belbanks boasts the second largest port in Cyrris."Alyssa anxiously asked, "Why does it have to be Kontina? Doesn't Tsulu border the Northuria Sea as well?""Tsulu is a little too far. Besides, didn't Mandy say that your mom was badly injured when Dominic found her? There were no s
"That's fine too, but you should keep it a secret from Winston. He's still unwell, after all." Jasper looked concerned at the mention of Winston. He seemed to regard Alyssa's father as his family now.Alyssa nodded and lowered her gaze. "I won't ask Winston about it. I won't force him to talk if he doesn't want to. I'll learn about Mom's past through my own investigation."There's just one thing that boggles my mind. What exactly was it about my mom's past that Winston wanted to keep it a secret? I'm fine with him keeping things from me when I was a child, but as my mom's only daughter, I deserve to know everything about her now that I'm all grown up."I don't care if Mom had a spotty background. Even if she were a wanted criminal internationally, she would always be mommy dearest to me."Jasper listened to her words silently as he grappled with the heartache. He was transported back to the time he lived at the filthy and dingy slums, where he recalled hearing insults and curses hu
Landon took a step forward expressionlessly but was stopped by Preston.Preston forced a smile. "Landon, let's be civil here. Zoe is your sister, after all. Don't be angry at her. I've watched you and Zoe grow up. I still remember how much you doted on her when you were still a kid…""This is our family matter. Do you even have a say in this?" Landon replied frostily, without a care for Preston.The smile froze on Preston's face."Landon, he's your uncle. How could you talk to him with that attitude?" Penelope's face flushed in anger and embarrassment.Landon ignored Penelope and focused on Zoe. He said, "I need to talk to Zoe. Can the two of you step out for a bit?"Zoe shook like a leaf in Penelope's arms. Of course, Penelope would never leave Zoe to face Landon alone. She immediately declined, "We're all family here, including Preston. Just spit it out.""Fine. I wanted to be respectful, but you don't seem to care for Preston and Zoe's dignity. So be it; not like I care." L
Zoe's forehead was dotted with sweat. She clutched tightly onto the bedsheet.She had always taken Landon as a man of courage but lacking in wits. No matter what she had done, all it took was some sweet talking and begging to make him turn a blind eye to her mistakes.Now, it seemed that she had been gravely mistaken all the while. Landon had wittily exposed her and Preston. The reason he had fallen for her lies in the past was due to his unconditional trust in her.They were no longer siblings at this point; just enemies, and Landon was a formidable one at that. No wonder the sly Preston had battled Landon for years to no avail!Preston remained glowering at Landon, who had no patience for him. Landon shoved past Preston and stood in front of Zoe. "Zoe Harper, my advice for you is to lay low and don't try anything funny." Landon's murderous squint gave Zoe goosebumps. He added, "If you harass Lyse, Jasper, and Lauren again, not even Grandpa could protect you from the consequence
"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