"Y-You… hit me?" Josh's head was spinning. His mouth was full of blood, and he could barely speak clearly."You came to my place to cause trouble and even laid hands on my people. Josh, have I been too nice to you?" Jameson looked down on Josh with a cold smirk."Y-Your... place?" Josh stared at Jameson in shock."Mr. Schmidt owns The Millennium. Everything here belongs to him," Carl proudly explained from the side.Josh froze and became speechless at those words.The Millennium was the most prestigious club in the country, as well as a money-squandering haven where many dreamed of becoming members to show off their status. The mysterious boss behind it was actually Jameson?How could he, a discarded pawn who had just found a foothold in the Schmidt family, have such a large business? What kind of joke was this?"Since you've come here to spend money, I wouldn't have bothered you if you had behaved. But it looks like it's too difficult for you to do that."After saying that, Ja
Back in his room, Jameson angrily downed a glass of strong liquor to ease his frustration."Mr. Schmidt, there's no need to be upset with that idiot," Carl hurriedly consoled him."He's already a lost cause, just struggling in his final moments. With Ms. Alyssa's intelligence, she would find out that Josh leaked Jonah's information. In fact, she might have already found out, and it's only a matter of time before she takes action."Please calm down. We just need to wait for the Taylor family to make their move and have them deal with him for you.""Amber, what happened?" Jameson asked, his gaze icy as he stared at Amber, who was cowering in the corner."You've never appeared to drink with customers without my instructions. Why did you show up at Josh's room?""I—""Oh, Mr. Schmidt, let me explain," Carl interjected quickly."I've looked into the situation. That scumbag Josh specifically requested Ms. Altman to drink with him. Our people tried to stop him, but he went crazy, smas
"I'm sorry, Mr. Schmidt. I've been busy tonight, and I truly didn't know that someone had infiltrated. Please punish me."Amber immediately lowered her head, fearing that Jameson might discern her thoughts and reveal her secrets. "Hah, a flying thief? Interesting."Jameson lounged on the couch with his long legs crossed as he casually glanced at Amber standing stiffly. "I know someone who has that level of skill. You know him too, Amber.""Who?""The person you've been thinking about helping me get rid of."Amber's face turned pale. She clenched her lips tightly, and she felt as though blood was draining out of her body."Could there be such… a coincidence?" She tried her best to suppress her trembling voice."If we make a bold assumption, it's not impossible."Jameson tapped a rhythm on his knee with his slender fingers. "Josh is having fun here tonight. Maybe someone is eager for revenge and can't wait for Lyse to act, so they want to take care of that scumbag themselves. I
Jasper's face stiffened, and in his panic, the chicken pieces in his hand dropped into the oil pan with a thud.Splashes of oil flew onto his hands and arms, causing him pain. He suddenly regained his senses and awkwardly parted his lips. "Axel.""Do you always talk dirty like this?"Axel lightly scoffed and craned his neck to peek into the oil pan. "I don't know if Lyse smelled it or not, but I did come because of the smell. It smells like something's burned."Jasper was startled, and then he realized that he hadn't taken out the chicken pieces he had put into the pan earlier.He hurriedly grabbed a slotted spoon. But by the time he retrieved them, the chicken pieces had turned brown.Jasper's eyes drooped with frustration. Suddenly, he remembered the series of "fails" Winston had said when he first tasted Jasper's cooking. That voice was still ringing in his ears."Forget it. I understand your intentions. You don't have to force yourself to do something you're not good at. If
Alyssa continued, "You could have just ordered takeout. Why bother tiring yourself out?""It's not tiring if it's for you." Jasper's sturdy arms wrapped around her slender waist. He looked at Axel gratefully. "Besides, I didn't do much. It was all Axel's work.""Oh, make them crispy, Axel."Axel clutched his chest, almost spitting blood into the pot. He didn't expect to experience Alyssa's favor for Jasper firsthand.With Axel's efficient work and Jasper's assistance, two plates of golden fried chicken were soon placed on the table.Meanwhile, Jasper's few failed attempts remained gloomily in the corner, like mistresses who couldn't be shown."Quick, Lyse, try my cooking."Axel propped himself on the table, smiling as he watched Alyssa with anticipation. "It's been so long since I made fried chicken for you. Try it. See if my skills have deteriorated."Alyssa grabbed a piece with her hand. She parted her crimson lips and took a big bite.It was crunchy and flavorful."This is
"That's perfect. I wanted to call them over too," Axel said suddenly, his gaze darkening. "I came back tonight for an important matter that I need to discuss with you all."…Silas and Cyrus rushed over. The three brothers and the couple gathered around the dining table, turning the small kitchen into a meeting room."Axel, we're here now. Stop beating around the bush and tell us what's so important," Silas urged as he gnawed on a drumstick.Axel retorted, "Silas, are you so impatient because you're on your period?"Infuriated, Silas threw a chicken bone directly at him.Axel easily dodged it and then tossed a folder onto the table."What's this?" the four of them asked in unison as they looked at it."You all said you wanted to avenge Jonah, right?"Axel's eyes turned cold as he tapped his finger on the table. "Inside here, there's enough evidence to bring down Josh."As soon as they heard the word "evidence", both Silas and Cyrus perked up.Alyssa immediately picked up the
Cyrus tightened his grip on the photo in his hand. "Lyse, now that I know about this and since it concerns Jonah, I'll definitely handle it strictly. Josh is finished for good this time."Silas nodded. "I'll start preparing once I get back too. Let's not alert the enemy. We must be sure before we make a move."After pondering for a moment, Alyssa asked curiously, "Axel, where did you get this evidence from? Jonah's case only came to light two days ago. You couldn't have collected so much information in such a short time."Axel's gaze was deep, like an impenetrable primeval forest. "The night before last, I went to The Millennium. Josh was there that night, so I wanted to confront him and avenge Jonah."Alyssa's and Jasper's hearts skipped a beat at his words.To others, The Millennium was a paradise on earth. But to Axel, once Jameson discovered him, it could become the place of his death.If Jameson caught the chance, he would kill mercilessly, regardless of whether or not Axel
Axel's resolute words sent shivers down Silas' and Cyrus' spines.When Axel made up his mind to be heartless, he would cut off his feelings. Though he was wandering outside, he still harbored resentment toward Winston. It was enough to show how stubborn he was and how heartless he could be."Axel, there's no need to be so ruthless." Unexpectedly, Alyssa shook her head indifferently."As long as she shows remorse and is ready to break free from Jameson's control and join us, I won't make things difficult for her."Axel looked surprised. "Lyse, are you saying—""If she's willing to switch sides and work with me, I'll gladly accept her and arrange a position for her in a subsidiary of KS Group. She won't have to live like that in The Millennium, selling herself."This statement surprised even Jasper. "Lyse, do you really mean that?"Silas frowned. "Although that woman helped Axel and provided us with this evidence, there's a chance this could be a trap set by Jamiper and her just t
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
Jonah scoured every corner of the hotel, desperation clawing at his chest, but Julien was nowhere to be found. "Jonah!" Alyssa called out, breathless as she caught up to him. She grabbed his arm. "Calm down! I'll help you search for Jul!""I can't find him. He's gone," Jonah murmured, sinking to the floor. His tears mixed with sweat, creating dark patches on the ground. "Lyse… I fear… if I can't find Julien this time, I'll lose him forever."The agonizing thought of losing the love of his life pierced him. "No, you won't!" Alyssa gripped his arm tighter, her voice trembling with conviction. "If Jul had given up on you, he wouldn't have come here today. The fact that he showed up means he still cares."Jonah's eyes were bloodshot, filled with a pain too deep to hide. He shook his head slowly. "Julien came back for Jasper. He did it because he's loyal… because he's a good friend. Not because of me.""He does care!" Alyssa insisted. "If he didn't, he would've faced you without fli