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
Jameson's gaze was cold and vicious. He pressed his pale lips together tightly. Jasper started advancing toward Jameson aggressively. Carl, the loyal subordinate that he was, stepped forward immediately. He glowered at Jasper. "Mr. Beckett, this is Ms. Alyssa's territory. Must you cause a scene right here? Aren't you afraid that you'd put Mr. Taylor and Ms. Alyssa in a tight spot?" Jasper's gaze was frosty and sharp. He said coldly, "Fuck off." "Please get in the car, Mr. Schmidt. I'll deal with this here!" Before Carl could do anything else, much to his surprise, he felt his arm go numb. Following that was a sharp pain that spread throughout his entire body. The world before his eyes started to spin."Oof!" Jasper looked frigid. He was standing firm. He simply grabbed Carl by the arm and twisted it. Carl was then thrown in the air. His back landed hard on the ground. He yelled in pain. He couldn't get himself back up. Jasper didn't even blink. He stepped over Carl,
"Jasper, you're really vile!" Jameson clenched his teeth. His bloody lips were quivering. "Vile? I was just giving you a taste of your own medicine." Jasper narrowed his eyes. "Jameson, everyone knows how to play dirty tricks and stab someone else from the back. I just don't think that it's worth my effort to attack you like that. I don't wish to become a vicious viper just like you. "However, my condition is that you are not to touch Lyse or her loved ones. Otherwise, I will not hold back in the future. I will hit you 100 times harder than I did today. I will get my revenge on you." Jasper didn't wait for Jameson to respond. Upon saying that, he turned around elegantly and waltzed away. "Mr. Schmidt! I… I'll call for backup immediately! We have to avenge you!" Carl had never seen Jameson being humiliated like that. He was so mad that he was about to cry. Jameson was trembling all over. He spat on the ground. Something fell onto the ground—a tooth! His left front tooth ha
Jasper said, "Jameson isn't going to hurt me so easily. If he did, that would just mean that I'm an incapable man. How would I be able to protect you and Winston, then?" Alyssa's welled up with tears. "Jasper, Winston used to treat you like that… He humiliated you. He even beat you up. Yet, you're still being so kind to him now. How are you able to do that? I wouldn't be so forgiving if I were you." "Your father only punished me like that out of his love for you." Although Jasper had a smile on his face, deep down, he was feeling regretful. "Plus, I did deserve punishment like that. Not only that, I think that he was too lenient on me." "Jasper…" Alyssa's eyes became red. "Your father loves you very much. So, I have to protect him. I want you, my darling, to receive all the love in the world. I will do all I can to make you happy." To Jasper, his aim was to compensate all that he owed her. He would compensate her tens of thousands of times more than that. Alyssa had tears
"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
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa