Lauren's lips were pale and her eyes were red and swollen. With much difficulty, she opened her mouth to speak and only managed to make a sound after a while. "Landon… What took you so long? What took you so long… So long…"Every single time she questioned him in that weak voice of hers, Landon felt like he was being shot in the heart. He was consumed by regret and suffering. He tried to answer her. But he was unable to get a single word out. "Something bad happened to Angie. Angie… Will she die?" Lauren thought about the image that she saw on the screen. In an instant, her eyes widened in fear and her entire body started convulsing in Landon's arms. Landon was scared out of his wits. Even every breath pained him. He answered, "No… Angelina will be fine. I'll take you to the hospital immediately, Lauren!" …Simultaneously, the board meeting was dismissed after such a big ruckus. Only Cornelius and Preston were left in the meeting room. "See, Dad? That lady from the Beck
After coming out from Harper Corporation, Preston made a call to Zoe the moment he got into his car. "You are indeed a genius, Zoe! How did you come up with such a well-crafted plan? I'm sorry that I raised my voice at you previously." "I've told you that I won't disappoint you, Uncle Preston. Just listen to me next time and you'll have good days ahead of you," Zoe boasted light-heartedly. That mastermind was amazing. Even if she had three heads, she wouldn't have been able to come up with a detailed and evil scheme like this. "Oh, right. There's something that I have to tell you." Preston grinned slyly. "It's about what you said last time. You said that if we released the video of Lauren having a meltdown, we wouldn't have to get our hands dirty." "Oh? Are you telling me that Grandpa intends to separate the lovebirds himself?" This time, Zoe was quick off the mark. "You're smart." In his luxury car, Preston crossed his legs relaxedly. He sipped on the tea that his secretar
A voice, raspy and weak, sliced through the air behind Landon and Jordan. They both turned around immediately. To their surprise, they saw Angelina on crutches a distance away from them. She was limping toward them with much difficulty. Landon's pupils constricted. "Ms. Angie! What happened to you?" Jordan's face ran pale in fright. He rushed forward to support her. Angelina tried her best to bear with the pain. She shook her head slightly. "I'm fine…""What do you mean you're fine? Your leg is badly injured. How can you bandage it up so simply? What if your wound gets infected? You might become handicapped!" Jordan's heart ached for her. He was on the brink of tears. When they were young, Jordan and Angelina met at training camp. No explanation was needed for how close they were. "That's not important. The most important thing is that Madam Lauren… Madam…" Angelina felt so terrible that she couldn't string her sentences together. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stare
Landon's mind was muddled. He didn't understand what Jasper was saying at that moment. "I don't get you, Jasper." "Mr. Harper! I have bad news!" Jordan handed his phone to Landon in terror. His hands were shaking. "Someone… Someone exposed the video of Madam Lauren having a meltdown. It's spreading like wildfire on the internet. It has already been reshared 200,000 times!" In an instant, all the blood drained from Angelina's face. She dropped her crutches onto the floor.Landon stared straight at the screen. His eyes widened before they turned red in trepidation. The muscles in his entire body tensed up and he started trembling. Jasper's angry voice sounded once again. Landon, however, only felt like Jasper's voice was coming from a faraway place. "Why did Lauren have a meltdown? Who filmed that video and put it up on the internet? Didn't you say that you would take good care of my sister? Didn't you assign people to protect her? "What's going on with you, Landon? Have you
Despite Landon's objections, Jasper brought an unconscious Lauren back to Crescent Bay. The major incident had caused an uproar. Newton's first reaction wasn't to grumble about Lauren embarrassing the Becketts. All he thought of was to bring his granddaughter back to his side to love and protect her. All he wanted was to shield her from the gossip coming from the outside world. As Lauren had experienced a massive shock, she was injected with another shot of sedative. With tears in his eyes, Newton watched as she slept soundly. Lauren looked as if nothing had even happened. "Lauren… I'm the useless one. I wasn't able to protect you." Newton choked as he reached out with his trembling hands to caress Lauren's cheeks. He was filled with regret. "Don't worry, Grandpa." Alyssa's eyes were red and moist. "Lauren isn't just loved by you, but also by Jasper and I. Jasper and I will get to the bottom of this." She clasped her hands together tightly and cracked her knuckles loudl
"I don't need that bastard to make a sound! I will not allow Lauren to marry into that hellhole!" In an angry voice, Newton instructed Ben, "Ben… Make it known that the Beckett Group will not have any business relations with the Harper Group moving forward! "If I find out that any of our business partners have any association with Harper Group, we will not partner with them anymore! We shall see if there's anyone else who still doesn't understand our stance!" Ben nodded seriously. "On it, Mr. Newton!" "Grandpa." Jasper frowned. He walked to Alyssa's side with an air of frigidity around him. "Landon is here. He's right outside. He wants to see you and Lauren." "Tell him to scram!" Newton waved. Alyssa and Jasper looked at each other helplessly. They were aware that Newton didn't actually hate Landon. However, it was true that he hadn't protected her properly. It was also a fact that he was Cornelius' grandson. Undeniably, he would feel some resentment. "I'm afraid that he
"Lyse!" Jasper became alarmed. Landon was such a tall man. At this moment, his body was leaning forward feebly as Alyssa yanked at him. It was as if he had no backbone and was going to break into pieces at any moment."Landon… You didn't give Lauren any freedom. You said that that was to protect her… And, what was the end result? You ended up ruining everything anyway! You didn't even manage to ensure her basic physical safety!" Tears welled up in Alyssa's eyes. She was furious and saddened at the same time. "You think that you are a great man who's willing to sacrifice your all for Lauren. But have you lost anything at all? All these while, Lauren was the only one who kept giving!" Jasper held his breath. He saw that Alyssa was standing in the rain, so he decided to give up on the umbrella and join her. One was the love of his life. The other was his brother from another mother. He couldn't bring himself to take a side, so he decided that it was best for him to remain neutr
"You should first get past Grandpa Newton." Upon saying that, Alyssa left without turning back. Jasper kept Landon company in the rain. Their erect figures looked like timeless and flawless sculptures. "You should go back and handle the matters in your family. Let Lauren stay here with Grandpa for a while. You can come over again once Grandpa has simmered down a little." Jasper exhaled heavily. He gave Landon a pat on his stiff shoulder. Landon's voice was extremely hoarse. "Tonight… I will stay here to keep her company." "You've got to be kidding me! The temperature is almost going below zero. You'll surely fall sick if you stand here all night!" Jasper's expression became grim. "Lauren will feel even more terrible if she finds out that you're being like this!" "Then… just don't let her find out." Landon forced a bitter smile with his pale lips. "Jasper, this is the only way that I can make myself feel better. Please don't stop me." …Alyssa knitted her brows tig
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
Axel and Amber had only spent half a month together before the former was called back to report for work. The night before his departure, they spent hours lost in each other, their passion unrelenting. Again and again, they exchanged kisses, their love pouring forth in an endless tide."Amber, three months… Just give me three more months." When their fervor finally waned, Axel held Amber close in his arms. They rested against the headboard, leaning into one another, too exhausted to move yet unwilling to let sleep claim them."Once I finish all the missions I've taken on, I'll hand in my resignation. After that, I'll spend all my time with you," Axel murmured, his voice steady with resolve. "We'll go wherever you want. If you want fun, I'll have fun with you. If you want chaos, I'll spend my life going crazy with you."Axel wasn't one for flowery words. He simply spoke from the heart. Right now, his heart only wanted Amber—forever.Amber nestled closer, her soft smile masking t