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
When Jasper heard that, he couldn't help but smile. He was still not used to her calling him her husband, but he loved it nonetheless. "Sigh... You have a husband now. I'll have to prepare two gifts from now on. It's going to be a big expense!" Rose pretended to sigh."Haha! You don't have to buy anything for him, just for me. Think of him as the free gift that comes with your purchase." Alyssa's laughter was clear and pleasant.Rose laughed heartily. "Alright."Jasper was completely speechless.What? So he was just a free gift after all this time?After a brief joke, Rose asked with concern, "Lyse, are you really okay? Is there anything I can help with? Don't hesitate to trouble me. I'll do my best to help you. I feel really sad when you keep things from me.""Most things have been resolved now, and my father's condition has stabilized. Jonah and Julien will take him to Mosgravia for further treatment soon. Thanks for your concern."At the mention of Julien, Rose said, "Speak
The moment Jasper turned around, Alyssa grabbed his hand and looked at him with her beautiful eyes.Her cheeks flushed with a tempting blush as she coquettishly asked, "Do you have to go now? Can you bear to have me bathe alone?"Jasper's Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes were filled with desire. The veins on his hand bulge, subtly twitching."I can't bear to, but for the past two days, you haven't been sleeping well because of me. If we do it again tonight, I'm afraid your waist won't be able to handle it."As soon as he finished his sentence, a glint appeared in Alyssa's eyes. With a gentle flick of her fingertips, the only bath towel left on her slender body slipped off completely.In an instant, Jasper's breathing became heavy. His already weak willpower shattered at once.He lowered his eyes and kissed Alyssa's soft lips passionately. While doing that, he unbuttoned the buttons of his shirt.However, he only managed to unbutton one as he tore the rest open. Expensive crysta
Alyssa said, "I believe that Amber is a pawn Jameson prepared long ago. Even if not, he might have forcibly deprived her of her original face and turned her into me just to satisfy his despicable desires because he can't get me."Alyssa trembled with anger in Jasper's embrace. "It's understandable if she became even more beautiful after the surgery. But who would willingly become someone else's substitute and lose their true self?"Does she truly accept walking in the sunlight, only to be pointed at and called Alyssa Taylor? Do you know what that means? It means, in this world, that girl named Amber is dead even if she's still alive."Jasper felt a chill run down his spine instantly."Now, she's secretly passing evidence to us through Axel. That's her act of rebellion. She's no longer willing to submit to Jameson and be a ridiculous stand-in.""That makes sense. I've never thought of that, Lyse."After pondering for a moment, Jasper suddenly asked with concern, "Do you think that
When Rose got to her office, she found Clarissa standing stiffly, waiting for her. "Are you Clarissa Sparks?"At the sound of her name, Clarissa hurriedly rose to her feet. "Ms. Emerson."Rose studied her with surprise. She had expected the matriarch of the Schmidt family to exude grace and authority, not the demeanor she encountered.Clarissa only wore a simple white suit with her hair in a neat bun. Though her makeup was impeccably applied, it couldn't hide the exhaustion etched on her face."Ms. Sparks, please take a seat," Rose said, masking her initial resentment toward a meeting with a member of the Schmidt family. She decided to withhold her emotions and assess the situation first."Ms. Emerson, I apologize for this sudden visit, but I desperately need your help in designing an evening gown," Clarissa pleaded. "Money is no object. I can pay you double or even triple what others would offer. All I ask is for your expertise. Please, I implore you!""Ms. Sparks, I am merely
Innumerable memories flooded Rose's mind like relentless nightmares, leaving her heart in turmoil. She made her way to the fridge, retrieved a chilled bottle of water, and drank it all, hoping to quell the unrest within her.At this moment, a thud emanated from the fitting room, jolting Rose. Hastily, she approached and rapped on the door, concern evident in her voice. "Ms. Sparks, is everything alright? Ms. Sparks?"No one responded. Rose felt something was off and barged into the fitting room."Ms. Sparks!"Clarissa had fainted, her upper body exposed. Clarissa's back was covered with bruises and scabs formed by old injuries. Rose was stunned for two seconds before she swiftly took off her coat to cover Clarissa's body. Then she carried her up. "Ms. Sparks, wake up!"As Clarissa gradually regained consciousness, Rose's relief was palpable, yet her concern lingered. "How did you get these injuries, Ms. Sparks?"Avoiding Rose's probing gaze, Clarissa turned away, tears brimmi
"Haha! You've got a point, Mom!" Jamie furrowed her well-trimmed brows. "But I still don't get why we didn't hire a top-notch designer for my wedding gown. Why settle for this woman's help? It's ridiculous.""Ah, my dear daughter, there's more to it than meets the eye."Lydia held Jamie's arm and said seriously, "Your father's success in business stems from his ability to allocate resources wisely from a young age."Having Rose design your wedding dress serves several purposes. Firstly, it would be a waste not to utilize her skills. Secondly, it's a subtle way for your father to assert his authority over her. She needs to understand her place in the Emerson family."She may be an Emerson, but she would always be beneath you. She would have to suck up to you for the rest of her life."With a meticulously crafted plan in mind, Lydia and Jamie made their way through the entrance."Hi, do you have an appointment?" The assistant approached them. "Appointment? What for? This little e
The snow was falling heavily, and the chilling winds howled through the night.Remy had no car, so he trudged through the snow alone, each step more exhausting than the last.His thoughts were consumed with Alyssa—was she still alive? In danger? And Jasper's unrelenting resolve to reach her, even after being shot and drenched in blood.Remy pressed his calloused, trembling hand to his chest. His heart hammered in his ribcage erratically.A sharp, searing pain shot through his temples, blurring his vision. He collapsed to his knees in the snow, his body racked with agony. The pain surged deep within him, and his eyes felt like they were going to burst from their sockets. It was unbearable.His breath came in ragged gasps. His hands scrambled for the necklace hanging from his neck—inside it was a hidden medicine box.Justin had told him that the medication in there could calm him down and relieve him of any pain. It would be able to save his life. But in his desperate haste, the
As subtle as Remy's expressions were, Jasper still noticed them. A slight twinkle flashed across his eyes. He did not have the time to continue entertaining Remy. He clenched his teeth, turned around, and started running toward Crater Mountain. Nevertheless, he had barely taken a few steps when gunshots were fired at his feet. Even so, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead and did not stop. Just then, another gunshot rang out. It wasn't until a bullet hit him in his right shoulder that the pain caused him to stumble. He almost fell to the ground but forced himself to stay on his feet. It was fortunate that he was shot in his right shoulder this time. After all, his left shoulder could not be injured any further. Otherwise, his left shoulder would be left in complete disability."If you take another step, the next shot will be in your left leg," Remy warned mockingly. Yet, his gaze was firm and fiery. "Jasper, I don't suppose you want to end up like your older brother, living in
A chill went down Jasper's spine. At that moment, staring down the barrel of the gun, one thought consumed him. It was the only thought that mattered—he had to stay alive to meet Alyssa!Jasper's mind raced. His gun was hidden under the driver's seat of his usual car, but today, he had taken a different sports car—one that wasn't equipped with a weapon. Panic gripped him for a split second before his instincts kicked in.The soldier within him stirred. Without warning, he jerked the steering wheel, ramming his car into Remy's.One of Remy's headlights was taken out and left rolling across the snow. All of a sudden, this prideful man was overwhelmed with anger. His eyes reddened with a strong sense of competitiveness, compelling him to pull the trigger. A shot rang out. The bullet sliced through the cold air, shattering Jasper's car window.From the very beginning, Remy hadn't intended to take Jasper's life. All Justin told him to do was to stop Jasper from meeting with Alys
"Jasper, you are such a jerk. If anything bad happens to Ms. Alyssa, you will surely regret it. You will live in regret your entire life!" Sean yelled. …The temperature tonight was -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The snowstorm in the woods on the mountain was getting stronger and stronger. The winds were freezing and bone-piercing as they blew against Alyssa's face. Trees swayed dramatically in the screeching winds, creating an inexplicable creepy atmosphere that added a feeling of desolation to Alyssa's sorrowful and depressive mood. She braved the bone-piercing winds and faced the heavy snowfall. With the help of her trekking pole, she plodded forward one step at a time. She did not have a destination in mind. She did not know where she was heading. Her heart had shattered, and she was beside herself. The decreasing temperatures discouraged her and made her lose all her motivation. For someone who had lost their willpower, being in the woods under extreme weather conditions wa
"Mr. Jasper, why do you say so?" Sheryl lifted her head and looked into Jasper's reddened eyes. She furrowed her brows and laughed out loud. "White Dove is from Solana City. This is also something that I wasn't able to predict. If I had known, I wouldn't have gotten you to make a trip here in vain, would I?" Sheryl was no longer that conniving bitch who used to act coy. Now, she had a powerful person backing her up. Jasper's violent rage did not scare her at all. "Why the hell didn't you say anything earlier?" Xavier marched forward furiously. He was even more inclined to serve her a slap. "Did you know that Mr. Beckett had an important date with Madam today? He only rushed her because of your stupid lead! Right now, you're telling us that White Dove isn't in Skydon but Solana City? What the heck are you scheming? Were you trying to ruin Mr. Beckett and Madam's date intentionally?" "Madam? Haven't Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa broken up? Is it right for you to be referring to her
The skies started to turn dark. Alyssa's dark hair was covered in a layer of snow. As she stood alone at the foot of the majestic mountain, she looked tiny, fragile, and desolate. "Ms. Alyssa, it's snowing. Heavy snowfall is forecasted tonight." Elias walked to Alyssa's side. Noticing the redness on her face due to the cold and the dull look in her eyes, he had a moment of realization. He couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness within him. "It's getting late. I suppose something came up for Mr. Beckett, and he's unable to make it." "Why didn't he inform me if that is the case?" Alyssa mumbled in a low voice as she gazed toward the darkness. She choked back on her tears so softly that her grievance couldn't really be heard through her voice. Elias slapped himself on his forehead. "Ah, perhaps you didn't manage to receive Mr. Beckett's message? The reception at the foot of the mountain isn't quite stable. You might have missed it. Would you like to come to my office? You'l
Jasper held his breath. It felt as if his legs had been chained together. He was unable to move. Looking at a stiff Jasper from behind, Xavier noticed his shoulders trembling slightly. An ominous feeling rose within him. "What did you say?" Jasper questioned. He sounded as if he was forcing himself to hold himself back from getting emotional. "Mr. Justin once mentioned that you were saved by a female doctor when you were badly wounded on the battlefield many years ago. I heard that you have been searching for her and that you've been grateful toward her." Jasper's back stiffened up. He narrowed his eyes and asked in a frosty voice, "This is a private matter. Why would Justin have told you about it?" "Mr. Justin mentioned it to me because I also used to work as a doctor in Luminara. He was hoping that I could help with finding that woman. "I finally have news on her whereabouts now. Mr. Jasper, don't you want to see the White Dove again? She was the person who gave her all t
That night, Alyssa stayed in the presidential suite of Solana City's KS World Hotel. She couldn't bring herself to return to her own manor—not yet. The lingering memories of her breakup with Jasper were still too raw, and the thought of revisiting their former home felt like reopening an unhealed wound.The following morning, she was awakened by a knock at the door. Groggily, she slipped on her night robe and opened it to find Sean standing there, carrying a complete set of brand-new hiking gear.Alyssa smiled. "Thank you, Sean." "Ms. Alyssa, it's freezing today. Are you sure you want to go hiking?" Sean walked into the living room and placed the items neatly on the couch. He still felt somewhat worried. "It's alright if it's cold, as long as the weather is good."Alyssa gazed out the window. The sun was shining brightly. The thought of going hiking with Jasper today made it impossible for her to conceal the sweet smile on her face and the delight in her eyes. She still love
Remy's eyes were bloodshot; his expression twisted with disgust as he stared at Sheryl. He could hardly fathom how someone so deranged and vile had once been close to Jasper. Even if Jasper and Alyssa had separated, Sheryl was nowhere near worthy of Jasper's side; she was not even fit to be the dirt on Alyssa's shoes.A sudden flash of memory struck him—the image of Alyssa during that traffic accident. He recalled her mustering all her strength to crawl out of her wrecked car, her face bloody, her body broken yet defiant. He had never seen such a fierce spirit in a woman before.His heart pounded uncontrollably, the memory triggering a sharp pain in his temples. Remy closed his eyes, gasping for breath.Sheryl broke into wild, unhinged laughter. Her entire body shook as she spat out her words, "Oh, Jasper, you poor, clueless fool!"If he ever discovers that the woman he's been tormenting all this time is actually his savior—the one he's been desperate to repay—that would be an eart