While the Schmidts were deep in trouble, Jasper was busy with work. Winston's condition had recently stabilized. After sorting out Winston's matters, Jasper began working to create a charity foundation in Anne's name.Anne had passed on for years, but Jasper resolved to make the foundation great to show his love for his mother."Mr. Beckett, the charity dinner preparations are nearly complete. We'll need your decisions on certain details, such as the venue selection and the guest list." Xavier handed him some documents.Jasper carefully pored over the documents. He calmly asked, "Any updates on Javier Beckett lately?""Nothing suspicious, except for one issue." Xavier leaned forward. He lowered his voice into a whisper. "I looked into Mr. Javier's schedule abroad. "He was scheduled to attend a business meeting in Furancia for a week. He should have come home to Solana City after that, but he took a detour to Mosgravia."Jasper lifted his gaze. "Mosgravia?""Let's not forget who
Xavier gaped at Jasper, who threw his manners out of the window and gobbled up the food like a farm animal. For a moment, Jasper looked just like Landon."See, Mr. Beckett, Madam cares about you a lot. She prepared lunch for you because she knew you'd skip meals when you are busy." Xavier couldn't hold back from boasting and groveling. "You're lucky to have her as your wife!""Too bad she wasn't the one who delivered lunch to me." Jasper took a sip of water to help with his digestion after wolfing down lunch. He appeared really hungry.If Alyssa delivered lunch to him, he thought he might have a chance to satisfy his other desires. The mere thought of it put a grin on his face."Madam had always delivered food to you in the past, including desserts. You were the one who banned her from coming in," Xavier taunted with a smirk.Xavier's remark sent a stabbing pain through Jasper's chest—a lump formed in his throat.At that time, Xavier's phone rang. Seeing that it was a call from T
Xavier was envious of Alyssa. If only he could marry Jasper too!"Ahem. That's unnecessary." Alyssa's voice softened. "I didn't date you to make you my human shield. I mean, you've done that a few times, but you're only human. Don't risk your life for me. You'll only break my heart."Heart racing, Jasper grinned widely. At that moment, he'd die for Alyssa.He said to her, "Lyse, I've finished the lunch you delivered to me."Then, he embarrassedly turned away. Breathing heavily, he croaked, "Can I enjoy 'supper' tonight?"…Meanwhile, the Schmidt Group was in deep trouble. The Tsulu government, provoked by the deaths, had officially prosecuted the local employees in charge of the demolition. On top of that, the government requested an astronomical amount of compensation from the company.Aware that the Schmidts were one of the four esteemed families in Cyrris, the Tsulu government extorted a three-billion-dollar payment from the Schmidt Group.The government couldn't care less f
Jameson no longer intended to conceal his evil intentions from Josh anymore. After all, he couldn't care less for a loser like Josh."So… Did you come home to exact your revenge on us? Were you behind what happened to David and Daisy? And now, are you out to get me? You shameless, filthy son of a bitch!" Shaking in anger, Josh was on the verge of a breakdown. "I'll tell Dad all about this! I'll tell him what you've done. He needs to see your true colors and your ugly face.""I have nothing to do with David's jail sentence. Jasper and Alyssa did that to him. They were also the ones who exposed Daisy. How was I involved in any way?" Jameson laughed at Josh's panicked rant. "Besides, do you think you have any credibility in front of Dad? He can't even stand looking at you. There's no way he'll believe in your nonsense."His grin sent shivers down Josh's spine. Josh regretted underestimating his rival. He had always dismissed Jameson as an abandoned son sidelined by the family; even if
Jameson shook his head with an intrigued expression. He slowly took a seat across from Victor. "Dad, you and I are businessmen. We all know that an oral contract means nothing. If you make me the company president, I promise to solve all our problems."Victor's expression darkened. He questioned, "Does that include Jonah Taylor too?"Jameson replied calmly, "Jonah Taylor must have been behind the stealthy attacks we suffered. Even if you said nothing, I will not allow the Taylors to step all over us.""Oh?" Victor looked at him warily. "But you claim you want to marry Alyssa Taylor. Do you have the heart to take action against her brother?"Jameson shrugged helplessly. "Too bad for them. I've always been a fair and principled man.""Great! It's good to be principled!" Satisfied with the reply, Victor patted him on the shoulder hard. "Jimmy, I'm getting older. Josh is useless. I'll leave the future of the company in your good hands.""I appreciate your trust. I will not disappoint
"I looked into the gift. It's more than double the price of the vase you bought him the last time. He clearly thinks highly of you," Carl explained.Looking delighted, Jameson remarked, "Sir always give the best gifts.""Not only that, he delivered the medication you needed. He left a message for you. 'Be it the gift or the medication, once it has been given to you, you're free to do whatever you want with them, even giving them out.'"Jameson immediately grasped the hidden meaning in the message. His eyes gleamed with an unreadable expression.Carl added, "By the way, per your request, I've reached out to the private secretaries of the mayor of Mazuma City in Tsulu and two influential congressmen. I conveyed our sincere wish to meet with them. You may now choose a date to meet with them in Tsulu.""Great job." Jameson casually cast a glance at the raucous debauchery downstairs. He spotted Amber seated in a corner in a ladylike manner.Amber, once a flirtatious and radiant beauty
"Wet the bed? God no!" Alyssa embarrassedly pummeled Jasper's chest. He appeared fine, even when her fists hurt. "How could you say that?"He grabbed her hand and rubbed it on his chest. "Fine, it's my fault. My brain froze. I bet I'll be the one wetting the bed when we're old and frail."Alyssa, who was angrily drawing circles with her fingertip on his chest, suddenly let out a chuckle at his hilarious remark.He questioned, "Anyway, what's wrong? You scared me for a while just now." He gently caressed her cheek with concern."I… I'm on my period." She clutched the blanket tightly and pressed her lips. Although she and Jasper had slept together and trusted each other, she was incredibly sensitive about her image and strove to carry herself with elegance and discipline.When they first started having intimacy, she dared not moan loudly due to the embarrassment. It took his patient guidance to break her mental barrier and release her feelings when they were at it.It was his fir
"It'll be harder to remove the stains as time passes. I'll give them a quick wash, and Mrs. Rosie will throw them into the machine for a second wash. That'll do the trick," Jasper explained.He somehow managed to find a huge basin and a tiny stool. At that moment, he sat on the stool, his long legs bent while he scrubbed away at the bedsheet and the duvet.His tall and slender figure looked comical on the stool."Wow, Mr. Beckett, do you know how to do laundry?" Alyssa's eyes sparkled in surprise, almost like she had made a new discovery."I always know how to do laundry." It didn't take him long to scrub the blood stains out of the fabric. He flashed a faint grin at her. "How did you think I got my laundry done when I was in military school? It wasn't like I could hire Mrs. Rosie to work for me in the school."Admiring Jasper's efficiency in doing the laundry, she ran over and pressed her body against his back. Feeling touched, she wrapped her arms around his neck."Don't fool a
"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