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
Amber stared fixedly at Axel, having no choice but to force a polite smile under the glare of countless surveillance cameras. But her stiff expression failed to convince both herself and Axel.Meanwhile, Jameson sat in the security room, watching Amber and Axel's every move. There were high-end cameras and microphones installed in the room that could even pick up the sounds of their breathing."I didn't expect to see you here, Ms. Altman." Axel cocked an eyebrow. "I've truly missed you since we last met. I couldn't stop thinking about when we'd meet again. Who knew that would be tonight?""I never expected to meet you here too, Mr. Whitaker." Amber smiled stiffly.Amber knew Axel only said those things because they were under surveillance. But her heart still nervously trembled when Axel said he'd missed her.Since both Amber and Axel were very experienced in such situations, Jameson didn't notice anything off about them whatsoever."It seems like we are fated to meet." Axel's ey
There was a silent rule in The Millenium, which was that no one else could bring Amber out of the place besides Jameson himself. Yet Axel was breaking that rule right now!He was the only man who was bold enough to do so anyway.Amber was terrified at first. But she then saw how determined and calm Axel was. Thus, all her worry disappeared, leaving her to close her eyes and lean against his chest.Amber just wanted to leave with Axel right now, no matter where she went."Mr. J-Jameson, Axel Whitaker has taken Ms. Altman away!" Carl exclaimed, panicked. Though Carl knew that Jameson had only ever treated Amber as a lowly substitute for Alyssa Taylor for all the years and even humiliated Amber again and again, no one was allowed to take Amber away regardless.Axel was basically provoking Jameson beyond his limit!"Go after them with the men!" Jameson ordered, panting angrily. "Bring Amber back no matter what it takes!"…Axel's Aston Martin sped through the highway while his ha
Axel began, "I came to see you because I was worried something might happen to you.""What could possibly happen to me? I'll be fine, so don't do this again." Amber didn't dare look up to meet Axel's eyes. She was trembling slightly as goosebumps erupted on her skin. "Please seek out trouble elsewhere from now on, Mr. Whitaker. "I hope I never see you at The Millenium again. Or should I say… I hope to never see you again after tonight."Axel's eyes darkened. "You can't really stop me."Amber gnawed on her lip. She knew Axel was intelligent enough to understand her implied meaning. Why was he still so stubborn then?These Taylors were too troublesome!Axel slowly observed Amber's expression with unreadable eyes. Though Amber was known to be deadly and beautiful, she was still behaving like a delicate, pitiful little bunny before him. Even though she looked very similar to Alyssa, Axel still saw a different, startling beauty from her every time they met.No wonder Jameson would s
"The Millennium is the only place I've learned how to live in. Besides, it's the most suitable place for someone like me. I don't need any other options," Amber said.She needed to distance herself from Axel before it was too late."What if I wanted to take you with me? Would you come with me if I could bring you somewhere Jameson or his friends could never find you?" Axel gazed seriously at Amber."No," Amber said without hesitation, a pitiful smile on her face. "I live and die as Mr. Jameson's puppet."Axel slowly straightened up, the desire in his eyes fading away. He unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt and said, "I understand now. In that case, let's just get on with things.""What… things?" Amber hadn't yet caught up with Axel's pace."Well, we're alone in a hotel room late at night. What things do you think we could do? Play cards?" Axel's gaze was cold, with no trace of tenderness in them anymore. "Do you want to shower first or should I? Or should we shower together?"Am
Axel tiptoed over to the bed when he heard Amber's shallow breathing after she fell asleep. Kneeling on one knee by the bed, he studied her lovely sleeping face.Moments later, he mumbled in a low voice, "You're not like Lyse."Amber probably overheard him. Her lashes fluttered gently as tears crept to her eyes.Axel gulped upon seeing her tears and thought of wiping them away, only to withdraw his hand and head toward the balcony forlornly.…When Amber woke up groggily the next morning, Axel had left. She sat up in her comfortable sheets and paused in shock when she found Axel's black windbreaker draping across the blanket. He had clearly left it behind for her.The last time, he left her some gastric medication after recalling her gastric issues. This time, he knew that she didn't have enough clothes on her because she left in haste, so he lent her his windbreaker."Pfft. He's still as caring as ever. Whoever gets to marry him will be the happiest woman ever." Chuckling, Ambe
Josh Schmidt had committed a long list of crimes over the years. The scandal of Josh forcing female scholarship recipients into prostitution sent a shockwave through the nation. Under immense public scrutiny, the Schmidt Group's reputation had been ruined.Victor had assembled the best legal team for his eldest, thinking that Josh would only serve concurrent sentences that added up to at most eight years since there were no murder charges pressed against him. Besides, the legal team would work with the Schmidt Group to reduce Josh's sentence.To Victor's surprise, someone turned in new evidence to the police just five days after Josh's arrest. On top of that, the accomplice Clarissa mentioned—the man who had gotten rid of the body after witnessing Josh's accidental murder—turned himself in at the police station, perhaps due to a guilty conscience or external pressure. He then proceeded to tell on Josh's criminal actions.In the face of KS Group and Beckett Group's threats, the Schmi
"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
Amber stifled a laugh and teased, "Stop talking, Mr. Whitaker. You're going to sound like a broken record if you keep going." …After breakfast and a quick packing session, Axel departed from Heightsnew Villa. Amber spent her day helping the Taylors with various tasks. She assisted Mandy in organizing documents for Lovelace Group's projects, helped Lyla with cooking, and even joined Colene in feeding her horse. With Tatiana's due date approaching, Amber also pitched in for her shower preparations.Amber had always been a diligent person, but today, she seemed particularly intent on keeping herself busy. She was counting down the hours until nightfall. After dinner, the Taylors sat in the living room and chatted casually as they always did. The warm, familial atmosphere filled the space, and Amber joined in, her perceptive nature making her a seamless part of the group.When everyone retired to their rooms, Amber rose to help the helpers clear the table. "Amber." Startled