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
It was deep into the autumn season at Solana City. The autumn breeze was chilling to the bone. Jonah hadn't been home in three whole days. He stayed at church the whole time. He prayed and repented in front of God. What was he repenting about? He used to work for an underground mafia. Was he repenting for the sins he'd committed back then, as he usually would? Or was he repenting for succumbing to temptation and falling in love with someone he shouldn't be in love with? On the fourth day, it was as if Jonah was having an out-of-body experience. He felt an invisible pull that led him all the way to the Lovelace Residence before he even realized it. He knew that Julien had been based in Mosgravia since he was young. He had no other properties in the country. Hence, there was nowhere else he could go apart from this house. He was deeply concerned. He tried to hold back his concerns for three days. However, he still ended up here. Jonah was well aware of his position. He kn
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
Julien's merciless, hate-filled words hit Jonah like a ton of bricks. The pain was unbearable, a gut-wrenching ache that shattered his heart.Under the dim lighting, Julien vaguely noticed a sorrowful tear forming at the corner of Jonah's eye. But before it could fall, Jonah forced a blink, swallowing his emotions whole. Despite Jonah's attempt to brace himself, sorrow engulfed him, a tidal wave of despair. His features mirrored the devastation ripping through his heart. As Evan opened the driver's side door, Julien lurched forward and vomited again. The sickening sound of him retching echoed in the air as if he were expelling everything inside him. "Judas, Mr. Lovelace looks like he's suffering from alcohol poisoning. We should take him to the hospital."Evan's worry deepened at Julien's condition. Jonah wordlessly removed his suit jacket and began cleaning the mess in the car. His chest tightened painfully as he watched Julien groaning, clearly suffering. Then, without he
Jonah's gaze burned with a mix of longing, sorrow, and something deeply affectionate. The world swam back into focus as Julien looked at Jonah. Without preamble, he asked, "Are you new? How much do you charge per night?"Light-headed and grinning, Julien reached out a hand, his fingers brushing softly against Jonah's cheek. "You're pretty good-looking," he said, his voice slurred. Then his expression shifted. "Why do you… look so much like someone I hate with every fiber of my being?"Jonah's heart clenched. Even so, he slid his arms around Julien's waist. Trembling, he pulled Julien into his arms. "I'm new here. Could you help me meet my target tonight, Mr. Lovelace?"Julien's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Jonah. Jonah's eyes teared up as he held Julien's waist tightly. "I promise you won't be disappointed," he said, his voice deep. Watching from the shadows below the stage, Evan nearly gagged at Jonah's sultry tone. Was this really the Judas he knew? The man sounded downri
The bar was alive with striking lights and thundering music, and the air was thick with the scent of tobacco and alcohol. The atmosphere was one of moral decay—corrupt, degrading, and vile. "Where's Julien?" Jonah's voice cut through the noise, his tone icy and sharp. When Jonah stepped inside, the eyes of several men turned toward him, their gazes filled with illicit intent."Why, hello there. Are you here alone? Are you feeling lonely?" A sexy man sauntered over, draping himself over Jonah's shoulders. He let his hands linger with a playful squeeze. "If you're bored, I'd be happy to keep you company." Jonah's expression darkened. His hands trembled, veins bulging with barely contained rage. Suddenly, Evan burst through the crowd, his face twisting in alarm at the sight of Jonah surrounded by a swarm of predatory men. Evan yelled, "Don't touch him!" A heavy thump reverberated through the room. Gasps erupted as people scrambled back.The man who had draped himself over
Rafe stated, "But Beckett Group is in the middle of a storm right now. If I insisted on giving your corporation the project, my superiors would investigate me. I wouldn't be able to escape unscathed!""If you're investigated, I'll make sure you can still live a life of luxury—even if you lose your job." Justin's tone darkened. "But if you turn against me, you won't just suffer a few losses. You'll lose everything."Under the dim moonlight, Justin fiddled with his antique tea cup, his gaze narrowing. "You've worked so hard to get to where you are. Are you prepared to lose it all?"After ending the call, Justin turned to Remy, who stood quietly at the side. "Sheryl is still being detained. She can't be bailed out for another two days. I need someone to watch over the research lab. You'll handle that."Remy was taken aback. "I failed my last mission. Aren't you going to punish me?"Justin's smile was cold and insincere. "It wasn't your fault. You were ambushed. If not for that, I tru
Remy pursed his lips, bending down to pick up the fallen poker card. It was the King of Spades—an entry pass to Kings' Club. "My attacker was…" Remy's pupils constricted as he tightened his grip on the card. "It can only be that dear uncle of mine, always claiming to see me as his own son." Justin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "He's trying to get rid of my right-hand man, taking advantage of my internal feud with Jasper. Weakening me is just his first step toward gaining control over me."He's been a fugitive ever since his successful prison break, never returning to Cyrris after receiving his life sentence. His power base remains in Kontina. "I'm the last surviving Dutton. The Dutton Group, as a cover, has declared bankruptcy and severed all ties with the country. "My dear uncle has taken a huge risk just to target me. He sent his men to attack you in Solana City. What a delightful surprise. It seems he truly doesn't trust me, his only remaining family."Remy lowere
The hospital ward grew heavy with silence. Mandy and Neil stared at Alyssa, stunned beyond words. "M-Ms. Alyssa, you knew that man was Mr. Damien?" Neil asked, disbelief etched into his voice. "Yes." Alyssa's reply was quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "We found out when Cyrus took Damien's cigarette butt for a paternity test."Mandy approached Alyssa, her shoulders trembling slightly. "So, you and Cyrus knew… and you both kept it from me?" Mandy said, her voice catching in her throat, tears welling up. Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Mandy, I'm sorry. It was my decision. Cyrus had nothing to do with it."Mandy's tears fell freely now, her grief spilling out in raw sobs. "Do you know what it's been like for me all these years, thinking Damien was gone? Winston, Miley, Lyla, and Colene kept telling me to move on. I tried to accept that he was dead, that we'd never find his body. But I never did."Her vo
The hospital ward was bathed in a dim, yellow glow from the bedside lamp. The silence was thick, yet the room held a strange warmth—an unfamiliar comfort that felt oddly familiar to Remy.Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to sit up. His eyes fell on Mandy, who was asleep beside his bed. Her hair was a mess, and her swollen eyes suggested she'd been crying. She was sound asleep. Remy stiffened. His breath quickened as he stared at her fragile figure. Slowly, he leaned forward, his fingers lifting slightly, tempted to reach out.Just as his hand hovered close, Mandy's lashes fluttered. In her sleep, she murmured, "Damien… Damien… I miss you so much…" Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unbidden.A pang tugged at Remy's heart. Without thinking, he brushed away her tears with his calloused fingers. The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through him, sharp and electrifying. Pain throbbed at his temples, but beneath it was a warmth he didn't want to let g
Justin's casual question hit Javier like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through him, freezing his expression. His voice trembled with fear as he barked, "What nonsense is that? Are you accusing me of causing Chester's death? I'm your father—how could you think I'd do such a thing?""It's not an accusation. Just the facts," Justin replied coolly, crossing his legs and savoring his tea with unsettling calm. "And I'm not condemning you. In fact, I understand why you did it. I'm facing the same dilemma now."Javier's breathing grew ragged. He had watched Justin grow from a child into the man before him—now a predator, circling with quiet menace."You were meant to be the heir as the eldest son," Justin continued, his voice smooth as silk. "But Grandpa favored Uncle Chester, handing him major projects, grooming him in plain sight. "Uncle Chester's reputation soon eclipsed yours. He was a natural leader, adept at business, with one fatal flaw—he was kind. Too kind. Unlike you."Justin