"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
Julien got released from his "cell" and taken to the courtyard. The front yard of Lovelace Residence was packed with people as everyone had gathered there.Julien was looking fit. He stood tall in the middle of the courtyard. Joseph was sitting on a wooden chair. Julien watched as his father sipped on his tea. Aidan was standing respectfully by the side. They had also called on an audience to watch the spectacle that was about to happen. Julien felt extremely uncomfortable. His stomach churned. Beyond the walls lay a modern civilization, yet within the confines of their home, it remained a feudal society.When he was young, he always thought that Mandy's actions weren't justified. She was from the Lovelace family. This was a family that gave her such a luxurious life. However, she would rather rebel and escape this family. It wasn't worth it at all. That said, his heart was being swayed right now. He was tempted to follow in Mandy's footsteps. "Kneel," Joseph ordered in a
Julien had just finished speaking when Joseph leaped to his feet. His expression was dark. He snatched the stick from the butler and strode toward Julien. Out of nowhere, he heard a swoosh. He felt a sharp pain in his leg. Without him noticing, two bodyguards had rushed behind him. With a whack of the stick, he ended up kneeling on the ground. "You ingrate! You've made such a grave mistake! How dare you laugh and talk back to me?" Joseph glared at him. His eyes were bloodshot. He raised his arm and smacked Julien on the back with the stick. He was merciless. The smack was so loud that it made everyone shudder. Yet, Julien only let out a muffled cry—a single muffled cry. Over and over again, he was being beaten on his back. It felt as if he was being hit by large hailstones. Two bodyguards grabbed him by his arm, incapacitating him from fighting back. His body hurt so badly that he just wanted to curl up into a ball. His vision became blurry. He could even taste his own bloo
"Mr. Julien, the Lovelaces' private physician is already on his way. Please hang in there…""Our family isn't short of doctors." Julien had his back against the two bodyguards. His voice was firm and cold. "I'm a doctor myself. No one knows my physical condition better than I do. Get out, both of you." The two bodyguards felt helpless. They exited politely. The moment the door shut, Julien crumbled to the floor. He vomited blood that he had been holding in forcefully. A pool of fresh blood stained the velvety carpet on the floor. "It hurts… It hurts so bad…" He curled himself into a ball as he rolled around the floor in pain. Beads of sweat mixed in with his tears, streaming down his cheeks continuously. In the midst of the assault, Julien's rage acted as a shield, rendering him almost numb to the physical pain. It was as though he had detached from his own body, insulated from the agony that should have consumed him.But now, left to grapple with his injuries in solitude
Searching for Amber without direction would be pointless. Jasper made a swift decision to bring Alyssa back to the manor, shielding her from the relentless chill of the wind. Once inside, he immediately began organizing the search. He deployed his men and contacted Landon, requesting additional support.The two of them sat together on the couch.This time, there was no space between them. It was as though an invisible force drew them closer, their proximity feeling natural yet electric. Neither could say who had moved first.Alyssa, however, was in no mood to dwell on their closeness. Wrapped in her down jacket, she curled up on the couch, her arms hugging herself tightly. A quiet frostiness emanated from her as she sat in silence, listening to Jasper's calm and methodical calls to mobilize his team.In the past, his composed presence would have been enough to ease her mind. But now, her thoughts were a tangled mess, each one like a razor claw tearing at her heart. The pain was u
"Ms. Gillis, I've searched her thoroughly. She doesn't have anything on her." Sheryl's brows knitted in frustration. "How can that be? Where's her cell phone?" "There wasn't one." Sheryl, no longer concerned about dirtying herself, stepped forward, grabbed Amber by her hair, and forced her to meet her gaze."You bitch," Sheryl snarled. "You came to The Millennium at this hour for a reason. What did you find? Hand it over, and I might spare your worthless life!"Amber spat a mouthful of bloody saliva directly onto Sheryl's face."Fuck! You bitch!" Glaring at Amber, Sheryl rolled her sleeves up and slapped her twice in the face. Even so, it wasn't enough to quench her fury. She yelled, "Take her back!" Two of Sheryl's subordinates moved forward, dragging a limp Amber away. Sheryl's reddened eyes burned with fury as she wiped the spit off her face. She was teetering on the edge of madness."Search the area! Retrace her steps and leave no stone unturned!"…Jasper drove to
Jasper strode out of the room and hurried down the stairs, his pace so brisk that Xavier had to jog to keep up. As Jasper reached the living room, he spotted Justin sitting upright in his wheelchair, alone. Their eyes locked when Jasper was just a few steps away.Hostility flickered between their gazes.Curling his lips upward into a slight smile, Justin asked, "Jasper, heading out at this hour?"Xavier gritted his teeth, loathing the self-righteous air Justin exuded, as if he always held the upper hand. The sight made him want to charge forward and knock Justin clean off his wheelchair."It's late. Why aren't you in bed?" Jasper asked coldly, his tone as sharp as his glare. "It seems that broken body of yours is still holding up.""Jasper, you seem to be in a rush. Did something happen? Do you need my help?" Justin maintained the smile on his face, disregarding Jasper's sarcastic remark. "It's none of your business."Without another word, Jasper swept past him. Justin's
Jasper lay restrained on the bed, his body writhing violently as waves of agony crashed over him. A towel clenched between his teeth muffled his cries, though it could not silence the torment. Every inch of his skin felt as if it were being devoured by thousands of invisible ants—a relentless, gnawing pain brought on by withdrawal.He knew he could no longer rely on the medication. Time and again, the temptation clawed at him, urging him to surrender and take the easy way out. Relief was just a pill away. But Jasper's willpower, though battered, refused to shatter. Anne's words echoed in his mind, a guiding light in the darkness. She had always taught him to be a righteous man—one with a clear conscience. Curling into himself, Jasper shut his bloodshot eyes. He couldn't disappoint Anne. He couldn't let down those who believed in him. He had to resist the dark side. Outside the room, Xavier glanced at his wristwatch. Judging the timing to be right, he pushed the door open and l
"How about now? Is Ms. Altman at home?" Alyssa asked urgently."She isn't," Clark replied. "She drove out the back gate alone around 11:00 pm. Our security personnel stopped her then, but she said she was just going out for some fresh air because she had trouble sleeping. She promised she wouldn't be long, but it's strange—she hasn't returned even now."Alyssa's ears began to ring, her heart sinking like a stone.When she ended the call, her nightgown clung to her skin, drenched in cold sweat. Her trembling hand gripped the phone tightly.She thought of calling Jonah, but he was still searching for Julien in Mosgravia. He wouldn't be able to return in time. Silas wasn't home tonight; he was likely with Rose. Besides, he was more of an academic than a fighter—not someone who could help in a crisis. Getting him out of bed in the middle of the night couldn't possibly solve any of their problems. Axel had returned to his organization, leaving Cyrus as the only one accessible who mi
Amber's eyes reddened as she darted toward the trapdoor in The Millennium, tears streaming down her face.Remy had let her go. He actually spared her! Didn't this prove that he was Damien? That his true nature lingered, even if his memories of the past had been lost?Hope and excitement bubbled within her as she ran. She had to reach Alyssa immediately and share this evidence—this incredible news!Emerging from the trapdoor, Amber navigated the tangled paths among the weeds on the mountain behind The Millennium.Suddenly, she froze. Her breath hitched. Beams of white light shone from all directions, focusing on her. The cold, unyielding spotlights told her everything—she was surrounded, the target of an ambush. Amber's heart pounded in her chest. Cold sweat slicked her palms as her fingers clenched tightly around her dagger. The veins on the back of her hand throbbed with adrenaline.Six assassins in black emerged from the shadows, their flashlights cutting through the gl
Amber glared at Remy through her bloodshot eyes, thrusting her gleaming blade toward his chest. In her early days of being Jameson's follower, the first lesson drilled into her was how to kill quickly and efficiently. Refinement wasn't necessary—only results mattered. Yet, despite mastering the techniques, she had never put them into practice. Deep down, Amber feared the sight of blood and loathed the idea of taking a life.And now, of all people, it was Remy forcing her to cross that line.The blade's tip hovered mere inches from Remy's heart when hesitation gripped her. Axel's voice echoed in her mind, raw with emotion. "Amber, I keep feeling that Remy is my fifth brother, Damien. We miss him… We want him to come home!"Her pupils dilated. The blade wavered, its deadly intent dissipating.That single moment of doubt was all Remy needed. With a calm, calculated motion, he seized her wrist and twisted it sharply.Amber gasped in pain, her grip faltering as the blade clattered
The password to Jameson's room was Alyssa's birthday. Jameson had always believed himself to be a devoted man, taking pride in that notion. Yet, in Amber's eyes, his devotion was nothing more than a pathetic joke—a sentiment she couldn't help but detest.Taking a steadying breath, Amber began rummaging through the drawers and shelves with swift precision.Years of observation had taught her that Jameson had hidden several secret compartments in this room, places meant to conceal vital information. Unless Jameson or Carl disclosed their existence, even the police might not have uncovered them.After what felt like an eternity, sweat beading on her forehead, Amber discovered a hidden compartment beneath a floor sculpture.As she pried the brick loose, her breath hitched. Inside the compartment lay a waterproof plastic bag containing a document and a USB drive.Amber retrieved the document. Her heart raced as she realized its contents—a research report from Mosgravia's RC Biotech
Ever since getting together with Axel, Amber had lived each day in bliss. Yet, when Winston assured her that he truly accepted her and approved of her marriage to Axel, that bliss reached its peak. For so long, Amber had struggled with feelings of inferiority, never truly believing she deserved Axel's love. Deep down, she had resolved to step away if Winston disapproved or insisted Axel marry a woman from a reputable family—a match more fitting of his status.She wouldn't have hesitated to leave if it meant sparing Winston and Axel any conflict. Amber loved Axel wholeheartedly and was willing to sacrifice everything for him.But instead of rejection, she found warmth. The Taylor family embraced her as one of their own, showing her kindness and understanding rather than disdain for her past.She could never repay such compassion. "Winston… Thank you. Thank you…" Amber's tear-filled eyes glistened, their brightness undimmed despite all the darkness she had endured. Winston s