"Do you even deserve to call yourself Julien's family?" With a chilling expression, Liam stepped forward, "This is an eye-opening situation on one of my rare trips back home. "I'm curious as to what kind of family would physically hurt their child over a personal grudge, even going as far as to strip him of his human rights and keep him grounded.""Right! You must be an animal to do that!" Silas chimed in indignantly."You know nothing. This is a Lovelace family affair. Those who go against our family rule shall be punished. It's something we've long agreed on. I bet it must be hard for a non-monogamous and disrespectful family like the Taylors to wrap their head around morals." Joseph snickered at Liam and Silas. In contrast to Aidan's quick temper, Joseph was calm and calculative as he took a swipe at the Taylors.Frowning hard, Liam cracked his fingers. "Say whatever you want, but you shouldn't dream of getting anywhere near Julien with me around, not to mention bringing him
Upon hearing Nathan's commands, the hooligans who had their hands in their pockets suddenly brandished weapons out of nowhere."H-How dare you?" Aidan's voice trembled. He seemed badly shaken. "Do you not know our family's standing in Belbanks? We're just second to the Taylors! You're only bringing trouble to yourselves if you mess with us!""Haha! Even a kid knows that the Taylors are the wealthiest in Belbanks. But I haven't heard of the Lovelace family." Nathan stretched his neck to loosen his muscles. Then, he snickered. "Anyway, I've finally met the Lovelaces in person. Second to the Taylors, huh? I guess that's only in Belbanks. Once you step out of this city, you're a fucking nobody! Hahaha!"The other gang members joined Nathan in his laughter. Silas guffawed. Even Liam, who always looked serious, betrayed a grin."You—" Aidan was at a loss for words. Joseph glared at his useless son, who not only made a joke out of himself but also made the Lovelace family into a laughin
"I'd be damned! That chick is so hot!" A few of the Ivory Gang members, attracted by Alyssa's beauty, were distracted from the fight.Jasper keenly picked up on the vulgar remarks. He quickly pulled Alyssa into a hug in a protective stance. He had to always be on his guard because Alyssa was simply too stunning."What are you staring at? And be polite!" Nathan, aware of Alyssa's status, went up to slap the three guys on their heads."Stop it! Stop fighting!" Julien bellowed at the men.He wasn't angry over his family being beaten, just disappointed at how his esteemed father had brought security over to provoke the Taylors and even got into a fight with the gangsters. In his eyes, Joseph was no different than the hooligans."Enough! Back off!" Nathan said and yawned. He didn't care to continue the fighting as the Lovelaces seemed badly defeated by the Ivory Gang anyway."Dad, how could you do this as the head of the Lovelace family?" Julien confronted Joseph, clenching his fist a
Joseph finally broke when his son publicly challenged his ego as the family patriarch. Staring Julien down, he was about to approach the latter when a slim figure glided out of nowhere and stopped him."Mandy?"In the next second, they heard a deafening slap. Mandy, filled with resentment, had slapped Joseph on the face. The impact of her slap caused his cheek to swell and his ears to ring."Mandy, did you just slap me? But I'm your brother!""My brother? Do I even have one?" She flashed him an indifferent smile. "I thought I was kicked out of the Lovelace family just like Julien. By the way, you're just a son adopted by the Lovelace family."The revelation of Joseph being an adopted son caught Aidan and Julien off guard. It was a family secret that had never been disclosed to the younger generation. Mandy must have been intent on humiliating Joseph by openly bringing up his bloodline."Technically, I am the only daughter who carries the Lovelace blood. You're only benefiting fro
Fortunately, the firm support from Alyssa and Jasper was sufficient. Julien was also determined enough. The Lovelaces had done all they could. Their family member was even hit. At the same time, they had discovered groundbreaking news about their family.They had gotten more than what they had expected. The Taylors made their grand exit with Julien in tow. They made it look as if they were a family. Joseph glared at Mandy from behind, feeling extremely dissatisfied. However, the Ivory Gang members were standing in their way. What else could he do? He could only treat this as his loss! On the way back, Julien put his arm around Mandy's shoulders. He tried his utmost best to hold back his tears. He teased, "Aunt Mandy, if you're planning to go to the local court to have your last name changed, take me along with you." "Oh, silly. It's just a last name. How much importance could it possibly hold?"Mandy smiled warmly as she held his hand tightly in hers. "Home is where your
Jonah and Alyssa stared straight at Jasper. Then, they exclaimed simultaneously, "Are you suggesting that Jameson is behind this?" Jameson's name had now become synonymous with all manner of nefarious deeds. In a helpless tone, Jasper said, "I'm sorry. Maybe I am the one who's being too sensitive about this person. No matter what happens with the Schmidts, I am always able to think of how it can be related to him." "There's nothing wrong with what you were thinking, Jasper." Alyssa had a soft look in her eyes. She linked arms with him to give him her support. "Didn't I say so the last time? Jamiper is the cause of everything bad that happens."Moreover, I think that your analysis makes a lot of sense. The three Schmidt siblings are boneheads. The three of them combined would still not be more scheming than Jamiper. Otherwise, they wouldn't have met such terrible ends." Jasper took note of how pink Alyssa's cheeks were. He smiled at her lovingly. "Jasper's analysis isn't u
Alyssa held her breath. "Jonah, what do you mean by that?" "Look at the condition of Dad's health right now. He is unable to continue managing KS Group. On top of that, this sort of public controversy happened to me. It is no longer appropriate for me to continue as president." Jasper's chest tightened. "You didn't commit any crimes nor harmed anyone. Why do you say that it's no longer appropriate?" "My presence will become a hazard to the corporation." Jonah's eyes were vacant, betraying no hint of emotion. "As long as I remain in this position, the public will be reminded of those photographs whenever they see me in the future. They will not think of anything else. They will only be reminded of the fact that KS Group's president is a homosexual."I don't mind putting my image aside and becoming a laughingstock. However, I cannot do that to KS Group." "Are you resigning, Jonah? You're not going to remain president?" Alyssa asked with a tremor in her voice. She was shocked a
Julien stopped a few steps away from Jonah. Their eyes met. Their outstanding figures looked good together. The bright moonlight reflected on Julien's sweet face. It reflected a softness on his face. Jonah couldn't take his eyes off him. "Jonah…" he started hesitantly. Jonah started to walk toward him. He was bright-eyed, and his breathing was shallow. "Jonah, I…"In the next moment, Jonah put his arm around his waist and pulled him firmly into his arms. Jonah sealed his trembling lips with a deep kiss. Their alluring shadows overlapped. They pulled back from each other after a while. Julien's lips were moist, and his eyes were in a daze. "This is your… first time initiating a kiss." His voice was muffled. There was a hint of submission and grievance in his voice. "I'm sorry that I made you wait for so long." Jonah lowered his eyes. Julien could feel his warm breath on his nose. He slipped his hands into his before slowly letting their fingers intertwine. "Let me
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
Nonetheless, night had fallen by the time Justin arrived at Seaview Manor. On his way there, he worked on two things. First, he secured the top legal team to get Sheryl out on bail as quickly as possible. Second, he tried reaching Remy—unsuccessfully. He had never lost contact with Remy before. Justin's face was as dark as the night itself. The moment he stepped inside Seaview Manor, Rory approached with a solemn expression. He gave a slight bow before speaking. "Mr. Justin, what took you so long? Mr. Javier has been waiting.""I was occupied," Justin replied coolly. Then, as if it were an ordinary evening, he allowed a faint smile. "Where's Jasper? Is he back here yet?" A conflicted look came across Rory's face. "Things between you and Mr. Jasper have soured. I doubt he'll want to see you anytime soon—or show up here.""Is that so? How disappointing."Justin's smile didn't reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on Rory, sharp and bottomless. "So, he'd rather believe what he se