"Oh my! If this is true, I truly feel sorry for Mrs. Schmidt! I feel like going in to give her a hug!""Mr. Schmidt leaving the country and caring for his sick mother at such a young age is truly a tale of hardship! This life story is like ready-made material for a TV series!""Mr. Beckett and Mr. Schmidt are both hot in their own ways, and their lives are equally tragic.""15 years ago, Josh was still quite young, right? Yet he could come up with such a wicked scheme. He's truly a born demon! What a scumbag! I support Mr. Schmidt in fighting back. He must reclaim what was lost!"The comments overwhelmingly favored Jameson.Tonight, he brought his seriously ill mother in front of everyone, all to gain this wave of sympathy and build his reputation in society. It was a stepping stone for him to become the most influential public figure within Schmidt Group.Alyssa lowered her gaze, her fingertips skimming over her phone screen as she quickly scanned the comments.That was the tru
Following that, Jameson's cold voice rang out, "It's been over ten years. What evidence do you have to prove that my mom's affair with that so-called lover was part of Josh's scheme?""Because... I was the one who made the call to lure your mom out."Daisy's voice trembled violently, unsure if it was due to her resentment toward her biological brother or her fear of Jameson."David was also there when I made the call. Unfortunately, he's gone forever. You lost a witness. But it doesn't matter. I still have an ace up my sleeve."I captured the scene where your mom was taken by Josh's men and brought into the room by the bodyguard while she was disoriented. It's in my old phone at the bottom of my drawer. You can turn it on as long as there's a charger."Daisy pleaded, "Jimmy, go after the person responsible. I was so young back then. I was just a victim of Josh's manipulation. Seek revenge on him. I swear everything I said is true. If there's anything false, I'll never rest in peac
Josh staggered backward as Cyrus appeared, fear gripping him to his core. Then, four plainclothes policemen filed in behind Cyrus, forming a wall.Jameson's heart sank at the sight of the policemen barging in. He glanced gloomily at Jasper, who remained as composed as a cat.Jasper met his despondent gaze, his dark, cold eyes narrowing.It felt as though two arrowheads, forged from opposing forces of ice and fire, collided explosively. Jameson was ready to put on a good show.He might have planned a controlled burn, but with Jasper around, things were bound to erupt into a full-blown wildfire.Lauren's eyes sparkled at the sight of Cyrus, whom she hadn't seen in a long while. She instinctively raised her hand to greet him. "Cy…"But then, she felt a weight on her shoulder. Slowly lifting her gaze, she met Landon's cold expression. Her heart tightened as she withdrew her hand, too afraid to glance in Cyrus' direction."W-What's happening?" Josh panicked, his legs trembling.
Josh's head began to spin as he observed Clarissa exchanging glances with Alyssa. He roared in a fury, "You bitch! How dare you conspire with someone else to frame me! I will never let you go!"Clarissa's gaze met Josh's unflinchingly. A subtle smirk tugged at her crimson lips, a stark contrast to the lone tear clinging to her lashes. What happened next left the crowd in disbelief. Without hesitation, she took off her dark green evening dress, revealing her body marked with bruises and scars for all to witness. "Clarissa…" Alyssa gasped, stunned by Clarissa's resolute actions. She felt a shiver run down her spine. Beneath her thin white silk nightgown, ugly scars marred her limbs, a chilling sight for all."Josh, I've endured your abuse for years. You've never given me a moment of peace."Clarissa's smile was tinged with malice, her eyes blazing with hatred enough to consume him. "You strike me when you're displeased or frustrated. There were instances when you demanded I us
Clarissa was so overwhelmed by her emotions that she found herself at a loss for words. "You… have given me a second chance at life.""You're too kind, Ms. Sparks," replied Jasper with a gentle smile. "You are the one who redeemed yourself."Alyssa then asked, "Oh, yes. What did you want to say earlier, Ms. Sparks?""Josh will never get out of prison." Clarissa handed her a USB flash drive, her eyes reddened with emotion. "There is a recording of a phone conversation Josh had with someone, which I secretly recorded that night. "Last week, he slept with a girl on a cruise ship. In a bid of excitement, he injected the girl with drugs, resulting in her death."Afterward, he engaged the person on the phone to dispose of the girl's body. I waited until he was asleep and then checked his phone to record the person's number. "Before disclosing our findings, we can initiate a police investigation. I trust we will soon apprehend the accomplice responsible for disposing of the body."Th
Jameson choked back bitterness. His voice, strained to the point of hoarseness, threatened to give out. With unparalleled seriousness, he uttered, "Do you have any idea how much effort I've poured into this day just to witness justice finally served upon Josh? "Even if you're avenging Jonah, couldn't you have waited until after tonight? Why expose everything at the party?"Alyssa met his accusation with a cold, indifferent stare."My mother... endured immense humiliation. I remained silent for 15 years, all to ensure she received the justice she deserved. I wanted Josh to grovel at her feet and apologize to her!"Jameson's pale lips quivered. "Lyse… I was on the verge of success. Why deny me that chance? Why?""Mr. Schmidt, your mother's situation is heartbreaking, but I won't halt my revenge for you." Alyssa's gaze was glacial. "Perhaps you had a personal motive for keeping that bastard alive—to handle him later and protect the Schmidt Group's interests. "However, I refuse to
Jameson cracked his knuckles as he instructed through clenched teeth, "Head back to the Millennium!"…A storm cloud hung over Jameson's face as he entered the Millennium. Anyone could see his simmering rage."Carl," Jameson barked, his voice laced with ice, "get Amber down here. Now."Carl scurried to obey, his heart hammering in his chest.After more than ten minutes, Amber appeared in the basement, where the incompetent and traitorous were often dealt with. A metallic tang of blood hung heavy in the air as the door creaked open."Mr. Schmidt." Amber bowed deeply. Despite her outward composure, her heart was beating wildly. Jameson lounged on a maroon couch in the dim, oppressive light, swirling a glass of crimson wine. He then drank the wine to wet his throat. "Josh has been charged with corruption, bribery, and sexual assault. He was apprehended by the police at the party organized by the Schmidt Group. Are you aware of this?"Amber attempted to mask her fear as she re
It wasn't me… Mr. Schmidt… I wouldn't…" Amber's voice trembled as she struggled to articulate each word. Her eyes held a shaky semblance of innocence as if she were being wrongfully accused.No one understood the consequences of betraying Jameson better than her. She didn't fear death itself. On the contrary, she dreaded dying for no good reason at all. Thus, she fought to defend herself. "Mr. Schmidt, what would I gain from betraying you? Only Mr. Moses and I are privy to this information. Wouldn't you discover the truth swiftly if I had acted against you? Why would I be foolish enough to wish for my own demise?"Besides, I'm practically under constant surveillance here. How could I have possibly contacted Ms. Alyssa or Mr. Beckett? How could I betray you?"Her words chipped away at Jameson's rage. She'd hit the right point. Seeing a chance to salvage the situation, Amber continued, "Mr. Schmidt, you gave me this life. Without you, I have nothing. In the past, I've even tried t
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