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
It was in the wee hours of the morning. The bodyguards at the entrance to the Millennium started to feel sleepy. They fought to keep themselves awake as they waited for their colleagues to take over their shifts. One of the bodyguards was in mid-yawn when some rustling noise was heard.Suddenly, he froze. "Hey, listen. Do you hear that?" His partner replied, "Hear what? I didn't hear anything." "No, I heard something. It was a rustling sound… like something grazing against the wall!" His partner was frightened out of his wits. "I heard that this land used to be a mass grave decades ago. It's the middle of the night. Don't scare me like this!" "Wait here. I'll go and take a look." The first bodyguard picked up his flashlight. He went around to the back of the club warily. He shone the light around him. He also moved the light in an upward direction along the walls. Fortuitously, this ray of bright light shone past Axel, who was standing straight on the window sill wit
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