Aidan stopped dead in his tracks. The annoyed look crept up his face once more.Alyssa freed herself from Jasper's grip and stormed up to Aidan. In the next moment, she raised her hand in the air and slapped Aidan across his face twice with all her strength.Everyone's jaw dropped to the ground. Even Jasper and Aidan were caught off guard by her actions. Aidan finally processed the slap when he felt the burning sensation on his cheek, the ringing in his ear, and the blood trickling down from his lips."Alyssa Taylor!" Humiliated and furious, Aidan pressed a hand against his cheek. He gritted his teeth, looking as if he was about to go off at her.Seeing that, Jasper hurried over and pulled Alyssa into a protective hug. He shot a threatening glance at Aidan, successfully intimidating the latter. Aidan's heart skipped a beat under Jasper's glare. For a moment, he forgot about the pain on his cheek."The first slap was for Julien. I don't care about the state of your relationship w
Julien, after casting one final, loaded look at Alyssa, walked out of Heightsnew Villa without looking back.At the same time, Jonah stood tall beside the railing of the balcony on a higher floor. His grip on the railing tightened, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged.Pain surged through his body as he watched Julien walk away. Right after Aidan left the Heightsnew Villa grounds, he spat on the ground. His saliva was mixed with blood, which showed how hard Alyssa had slapped him in the face.He caught the fleeting, gleeful grin on Julien's lips. Staring hatefully at Julien, he gritted his teeth and hissed, "Laugh as much as you want now. You'll suffer when we get home to Grandpa and Dad."…Heightsnew Villa felt a little lonely and quiet without Julien around. "Where the heck was Winston when his wife was bullied by Aidan?" Alyssa suffered rage-induced cramps in her abdomen. "He should have taken the responsibility and dealt personally with his enemy!"Colene explai
After consoling Mandy, Alyssa and Jasper retired to their bedroom. After locking the door, she was about to start a discussion when he wrapped an arm around her waist and sealed her lips with a trembling kiss.Initially taken aback, Alyssa's surprise quickly turned into surrender as she closed her eyes, reciprocating the embrace and melting under his touch.He gently and cautiously scooped her in his arms, seemingly worried that she might turn to dust. They shared a fervent kiss, their bodies intertwining in the heat of the moment.The air grew warmer as the room filled with the sounds of Jasper's heavy breathing and Alyssa's soft moans. She could feel his presence enveloping her, sensing his skin beneath his shirt and succumbing to his kiss that consumed her almost entirely.After what seemed like an eternity, she felt her head spinning. He finally regained control of his desires and moved away from her. She whispered, "I… I'm on my period. We can't make love."Sensing his hard
Alyssa was relieved that she wasn't a fan of gay romance. Otherwise, she would have found herself constantly swooning over Jonah and Julien."Anyway, I was shocked that Aidan Lovelace would show up alone and behave in such a nasty manner," Jasper remarked.He placed her on the couch, cradling her head in his lap and gently massaging her abdomen. The look in his eyes darkened when he recalled the confrontation just now. Fortunately, Alyssa hadn't gotten bullied just now, or he didn't know what he might do to Aidan."He might be unruly, but I'm sure getting slapped twice shook him up," Alyssa said, wrapping her arms around Jasper's neck, her breath teasing his skin. She continued, "The Lovelaces' arrogance stems from their recent success in medical research. Hence, their business. They're on the brink of a breakthrough in Parkinson's treatment."If they succeed, Lovelace Pharmaceuticals will dominate the market globally. The wealth they'll accumulate is unimaginable.""That expl
Winston's hand trembled when he held the glass of water. "It's time to get my will ready."Feeling bitter, Neil stopped him. "Mr. Winston!""Nothing to worry about. All the business tycoons here and abroad do the same. They'll prepare their will at this age just in case anything happens." Winston stared at Neil solemnly. He began, "Neil, I can't discuss this matter with my wives. They're too kind and gentle to accept it. I can't turn to my kids, too. I might appear rich and glamorous on the outside, but as their dad, I gave them a lot of trouble. I know what I have done."That's why I can only bring up this matter with you. You're the only one I trust."Neil lamented, "But Mr. Winston, you said you'd like to see all your children married and settled down. You wanted a bunch of grandchildren.""Hah. I don't have the time to wait. Jonah, Silas, Cyrus, and that brat Axel are either busy with work or busy serving Jesus. None of them will give me what I want." Winston sighed a few ti
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room intensified. The air was chilling to the bone. Winston's expression was as frigid as the atmosphere in the room. "Mr. Schmidt, are you wishing me to continue being ill?" Jameson chuckled. "You're overthinking it, Uncle Winston. Why would I be so narrow-minded? You are Lyse's father. She is also the woman I love. I sincerely hope that you will live a long and healthy life." Neil stared at him. He knitted his brows together. Those were words of concern. Yet, they didn't sound like kind words when Jameson uttered them. "Mr. Schmidt, you are a persistent man indeed." Winston felt his body tightening up. He spoke with a sarcastic yet sharp tone, "But an overly persistent person is just a stubborn person. They'd just end up getting their panties in a bunch. "I have told you that one's feelings cannot be changed. Moreover, Lyse is a prideful and tenacious person. You can try all you want to please her. But if she doesn't have feelings fo
Jameson started, "I'm well aware that I can't change how someone feels. Although I am deeply in love with Lyse, I've never forced her to be together with me. I am her sincerest suitor. I can't stand seeing her together with a bastard like Jasper. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing." Jameson's gaze became deep as he placed a box on the table. "This box contains the miracle drug that saved you the last time. There are a total of three doses. It's enough to stabilize your condition. This drug is difficult to procure even if you were to send someone to Mosgravia to purchase it for a high price. You would be lucky to get even one dose, let alone three doses. "I just want you to promise me that you will not let Lyse marry Jasper. Then, you'll have my guarantee that you'll be able to access this medication all year round. This wouldn't be something that you'd have to worry about." A vicious look flashed across his eyes. "It doesn't matter who Lyse gets together with. I will give them my
"Mr. Benton! What's going on? Dad was fine earlier. Why is his condition flaring up?" Alyssa sat by the couch. She held Winston's icy hands in hers. Her heart ached for him as a lump rose in her throat. "Lyse… I'm fine." Winston saw that Alyssa had come. He lifted his spirits and smiled. Alyssa's eyes reddened. She was extremely worried. "You're fine? Your face is even whiter than a Samoyed!" Jasper, Neil, and Winston were speechless. The tense atmosphere became a little lighter. Alyssa questioned angrily, "Jamiper came by earlier? Was he the one who caused this?" Winston and Neil stayed silent. "Winston, just now, I noticed that Jameson was carrying a medicine box with him. Did he use the medication as a means to threaten you?" Jasper asked with a twinkle in his eye. Neil blurted softly, "Yes, Mr. Jameson did bring the drug over. He also said that Mr. Taylor was only able to survive because of him. He came to strike a deal with Mr. Taylor. He promised Mr. Taylor that h
Alyssa followed Jasper into the study. The door closed behind her with a soft click. She didn't move to switch on the lights or sit down. Instead, she stood quietly in the dim room.They faced each other, eyes locked. In the darkness, their gazes seemed brighter, charged with emotions that neither could put into words. Whatever stirred within them was tangled and silent—kept at bay by something unspoken, as if a wall had formed between heart and mouth. After a pause, Alyssa offered a faint smile. Her voice was soft, almost courteous. "Go ahead, Mr. Beckett. I won't be staying long tonight—I've made other arrangements."It was clear she didn't want to be alone in a room with him.Jasper's chest tightened, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion he couldn't define. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "You didn't vote against the motion at today's board meeting. I wanted to know… are we still on the same side?"Alyssa's gaze lowered, her voice steady and calm. "You didn't object
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
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