Upon hearing Lauren's retort, Zoe was filled with rage. She clenched her fists so tightly that her meticulously adorned nails dug into the flesh of her palms.If it weren't for the people around them, she would have slapped Lauren already.Zoe took a deep breath. Smirking maliciously, she leaned close to Lauren's ear, speaking in a low, mocking tone. "You're right. You're not an idiot. You're a psycho."A psycho.She was a psycho.Lauren's mind buzzed loudly, and cold sweat soaked through her pure white cotton dress.At that moment, the piano music on stage began to play.The melodious notes flowed into her ears. But for her, they were like painful melodies, only intensifying her stress."Lauren, you've always wanted to be Landon's wife—to be Mrs. Harper. But do you think you're qualified? You know your illness best. Do you think you can give birth to a child with normal intelligence for Landon?"Zoe hit her sore spot, each word striking at her heart.Lauren lowered her head.
It had been three days since Josh last returned.That day, Clarissa received news that he would be back, so she went to the mall in the afternoon and bought an extremely sexy set of black lace lingerie.Not only that, she also managed to acquire a drug that could make men insatiable.After being toyed with by Josh for two years, her body was covered in scars. In his eyes, she was nothing but a tool for his pleasure, devoid of any attractiveness.So, she had to do something about it.However, if she wanted to enter Josh's study, she would have to make the move to seduce him.Time was running out, but regardless of the risks, she had to succeed in one go.That evening, Josh returned to Schmidt Manor.As soon as he came back, he went straight to his study, not even sparing a glance at Clarissa.After bathing with rose water, Clarissa applied body lotion from head to toe and wrapped herself in a robe. With the "chicken soup" she had prepared in hand, she mustered up the courage to
Jasper's jaw tensed as he felt nervous for both Clarissa and Alyssa. But his hacking skills were at the five-minute level, so he couldn't be of much help. Alyssa had to be the one to do the job.…The sound of water running came from the bathroom.Clarissa kept her eyes fixed on the progress bar on the screen, which had reached 50 percent. Her heart pounded wildly, putting her on tenterhooks.If Josh were to discover that she had tampered with his computer, she would surely be killed by that beast.60 percent… 70 percent… 80 percent...Just as the progress bar reached 90%, it suddenly froze.At the same time, the sound of running water from the bathroom stopped.In that instant, Clarissa's heart raced. Her entire body was drenched in a cold sweat, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her.When she heard Josh's footsteps approaching the bathroom door, her heart sank in despair."It's over," she thought.Just before the bathroom door was opened, the progress b
Jameson elegantly raised his wine glass. His eyes were tinged with a hint of laziness. "What activities?""Mr. Cornelius is getting on in years and wants to step down. He's already decided to designate Landon as his successor, appointing him as the president of Harper Group and vice chair of the board."The news has spread throughout Harper Group. Once the board meeting next week concludes, Landon will officially take office.""Is that new? Everyone in the circle knows about it." Jameson sneered."At this critical moment, there's fierce infighting within Harper Group. After Mr. Bill's death, Preston, as Mr. Cornelius's only son, didn't get to inherit the throne. He can only watch the younger generation rise above him. He's probably boiling with anger right now.""What's the use of being angry when he's incompetent? If Preston was capable, he should have gotten his hands on the throne when Landon's father died. He wouldn't have to suffer being surpassed by the younger generation."
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Two striking figures entered. It was Jonah and Julien."Dad.""Mr. Taylor, how are you feeling today?" Julien asked gently, walking beside his beloved man.Winston glanced at his son, then cast his kindly gaze on Julien's clean and handsome face. He teasingly asked, "Why so distant all of a sudden? Aren't you calling me dad?"Alyssa and Jasper were both surprised.Julien, already fair-skinned, blushed all the way to his neck at this tease. He lowered his long lashes in embarrassment.Seeing his shy reaction, Jonah couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart. He directly took Julien's sweaty hand in his, interlocking their fingers tightly."Dad, Julien is shy. Don't tease him like that."Grinning, Alyssa looked at the adorable couple.Those in love were truly different. Even the aloof, stoic man, who used to be indifferent to worldly affairs, was now fiercely protective.Winston looked at them inexplicably. His gaze gradually shi
"If I can't handle it, no one else in the world can," Alyssa huffed confidently."Jonah and I can't be by your side to protect you. Don't act recklessly, okay? Think about the consequences."When you encounter problems, don't try to handle them all by yourself. Communicate with us, or ask your man for advice. Let him take some hits for you.""Dad, Jasper is my love, not a human shield. What's with this talk about taking hits?" Alyssa pouted with frustration.However, Jasper remained unfazed. His eyes were filled with gentleness. "Don't worry, Winston. Even if there's a hail of bullets, I'll stand in front of Lyse and ensure her safety."Alyssa's eyes became teary, and she felt a warm sensation in her chest. She nestled into Jasper's arms, feeling like a drifting boat had found a permanent harbor."Mr. Beckett."Suddenly, Winston addressed Jasper with such seriousness that his whole body tensed up.He quickly responded, "Yes, Mr. Taylor.""My buttercup is still young. She's imp
Outside Heightsnew Villa, the night wind rustled as Jameson stood alone in the darkness, waiting for the person he had been thinking about incessantly to appear.After what seemed like an eternity, the gates opened.Alyssa was wearing only a thin, light blue dress. With sharp eyes, she approached him with determined steps."Lyse." Jameson's eyes gleamed with joy.Seeing Alyssa dressed so lightly, he quickly took off his suit jacket, intending to drape it over her shoulders.His eyes were filled with concern as he said, "Lyse, why didn't you wear more? It's cold tonight. You'll catch a cold.""Don't touch me!" Alyssa narrowed her eyes as she abruptly stepped back.It was as if the man in front of her was a venomous scorpion or a viper, ready to spit venom at her at any moment.Jameson's arms hung awkwardly in the air. His already fair complexion turned even paler."Jameson, don't push your luck."Alyssa's eyes burned with hatred. The words forced out through clenched teeth wer
The punch he had just taken didn't inflict as much damage on Jameson as this scene did."Mr. Schmidt! Are you okay?" Carl, who was waiting in the shadows, was shocked. He rushed over to support his boss."I'm fine."Jameson staggered to his feet and swallowed the blood in his mouth. His gaze fixed on Jasper with a fierce and menacing intensity, like that of a starving hyena deprived of meat for days."If you're not convinced, we can settle it one-on-one."Jasper's gaze turned cold, and his imposing presence exerted daunting pressure on Jameson's chest. "I won't use my hands."Hearing that, Alyssa anxiously grabbed Jasper's tightly tensed arm, her eyes wide with worry.In her mind, she was scolding him for being lenient with this viper. He should just pin Jameson down and beat him to a pulp."Hah… No need for that."Jameson didn't want to fight Jasper in front of Alyssa, so he swallowed his anger and wiped away the blood from his lips. "I just had a stroke of bad luck and got b
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