"That's ridiculous!" Liana struggled to keep the smile on her face. "I bought this from the Harpers' auction house. It can't be a counterfeit!"After she dragged the Harpers into the mess, Landon snickered. "Ms. Gardner, you are probably unfamiliar with the industry because you haven't been involved with auctions. Parry's Auction of the Harper Group is the biggest auction house in the nation. "The items we take in have undergone stringent inspection and verification. It is impossible to buy counterfeits from us. It's one thing to be ignorant; it's another thing to ruin my family's reputation."The look in Jasper's eyes deepened. He recalled Alice's smirk when she indirectly led Liana to buy the replica at ten times the starting price at the charity auction. Could she have foreseen that Liana would buy the painting for Newton?Was it all a coincidence or a trap from the start?"Ms. Gardner, a counterfeit item is different from a replica," an expert voiced out his opinion to clear
Liana shouted, "Why didn't she continue bidding if she wanted the painting? She never planned to buy it in the first place—she only wanted to trick me!"The onlookers shifted their opinions about the situation."Could Ms. White have done that to Ms. Gardner because she was upset with the divorce?""That's unnecessarily petty. What's the meaning of pulling that after a divorce?""It is not meaningless. She must have been indignant after losing her marriage with the distinguished Mr. Beckett.""She looks proper on the outside but mean on the inside. Women like her only use their brains on petty tricks."Liana felt great hearing the barrage of criticisms on Alice."Ms. White, did you really do that?" Javier knitted his brows and looked sternly at Alyssa. Similarly, Newton was waiting for her answer."Ms. Gardner, it was a misunderstanding." Alyssa took a step forward. Her face scrunched up into a pitiful expression. "I was the one who first bid for the painting. You followed suit.
It was time for Alyssa to present her present.When the antique rosewood chair was carried in, every antique fanatic and collector in the venue erupted into excitement."That is a stunning relic!""Oh goodness, I wish I could get my hands on it!""This is probably the most precious thing Mr. Beckett Senior would have gotten tonight besides the porcelain set!""Who is this Alice White? How did she get her hands on something so priceless? Looks like Mr. Beckett's ex-wife might have been an heiress in hiding!"Jasper's heart had leaped into his throat. He gazed fixedly at Alice. He had never expected her to give the old man an antique the Taylor family had won at the auction. This chair itself was worth over a hundred million!It seemed like the Taylor family really doted on her."This is our gift to you, Grandpa. May you be blessed with prosperity and happiness, and live forevermore!" Alyssa said to Newton.Beside her, Jonah bowed his head slightly. "I wish you a happy birthday,
Shock, rage, and disappointment flooded Jasper's chest. She had lied to him all this time!…The birthday celebration continued into the night, laughter and chatter filling the venue. Halfway through, Alyssa decided to go to the washroom to powder up.As she went to the washroom, she recalled all the schemes and tricks Liana and Sophia had tried to use against her. It was all so childish, she realized, scoffing at the thought. How foolish.She had already guessed how they planned to take her down, which was unfortunate for them. Of all the things those women should have considered when plotting against her, they failed to include the most important factor of them all—Newton's fatherly affection for her.Love and affection were something their schemes could never break through.It would have been inappropriate if they had only given Newton the chair, as it undoubtedly belonged to Jonah and "his family." That was why she presented the carving she had long prepared to Newton.Alyss
"Ow!" The force was enough to bruise Alyssa's back. "What the hell is wrong with you, Jasper?"Jasper was fuming with rage. His grip tightened around her wrists. It was as if he was scared she might run from him. Their eyes met."You've lied again and again to me, Alice White. Who wouldn't be upset?" he roared, voice raspy."When have I ever lied to you?" Alyssa demanded, struggling against the man's grip. "The only reason you know nothing about me is because you never cared! "Three years, Jasper Beckett. I would have told you everything you wanted to know if only you had asked. But have you ever cared to ask me? Did you ever care about me?"Jasper's heart skipped several beats, pounding hard in his chest."Do you know what I like having for breakfast? What do I enjoy doing on the weekends? What kind of music do I like? I was your wife, and I gave you my all. I paid attention to everything you did, what you loved and hated. But what about you?"Isn't it hilarious how you're acc
"Mr. Javier had hired a classical opera singer for sir, as something special for his birthday, but her student came to me just now reporting that the singer suddenly caught a terrible bug. She's still in the bathroom, unable to perform," Ben said worriedly. He continued, "What can be done? The singer was hired just to perform for Mr. Beckett Senior. He's going to be disappointed. The guests will make a fool of us.""Not on my watch." Alyssa assumed a confident stance. "Don't worry, Mr. Gorham. By the time the night is over, the guests will be leaving in awe."Jasper's heart skipped a beat at that. They weren't technically husband and wife anymore, yet she was still standing up for his family in their times of need to ensure his grandfather had a memorable birthday."Do you have a plan, Ms. White?" Ben smiled."Could you show me the way to the stage, Mr. Gorham?" Alyssa said, then left with Ben while Jasper stood there, still in awe.He blinked slowly, clenching his hands into
Alyssa stood on stage, her face delicately painted with peacock blue and purple. Her bright eyes met Jasper's, sending another jolt into his heart.When she began singing, her voice thoroughly enchanted him."The sweet sound! His voice struck me! Ah, that voice, which has descended into my heart!"Jasper stared at her in shock. The two seemed so close yet so far, one a young, promising woman, one a rich family's heir. One smile from her was enough to rock his entire world."Is that … Is that really Alice?" Newton asked, shocked. "It really is! Look at her features, her delicate cheeks, her beautiful smile. That's … That really is her!"Jasper suddenly fell back into his seat. Delicate cheeks … beautiful smile …His temple began to throb painfully."Jasper? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Landon asked, seeing how his friend's face looked pale."I'm … fine," Jasper grunted, massaging his temples as he sank into his thoughts.Why was Alyssa's name suddenly so familiar? Where had
Betty asked, "What plan do you have in mind?"Liana glanced around the surroundings, making sure there was no one else nor any security cameras before pulling out a vial from her purse."What's that?" Betty asked.Liana grinned with evil glee. "Something that, once consumed, will unleash irresistible impulses in every individual. It's particularly effective for cheap whores like Alice White.""What?" Betty shrieked but was quickly silenced with a hand on her mouth."Shh! Be quiet!" "Y-You wanna drug Alice? During tonight's celebration?"Liana whispered deviously, "If we can get Alice to sleep with Jonah tonight right when the celebration is going on, imagine the impact on her!"Then, Alice's carefully built reputation would crumble apart in front of the masses, angering and disgusting both Jasper and her grandfather. Even the Taylor family wouldn't want anything to do with her anymore."Plus, you hate how close she is with Mr. Harper, don't you? Do you think he would still wa
Justin curled his lips into a smirk, scoffing in silence. Newton had gone to great lengths to bring Alyssa into Beckett Group. This was his way of decentralizing power and keeping it in check, and he wanted to prevent Justin from having complete control. Unlike others, Javier couldn't hold himself back. He blew his top instantly, his face turning red like a tomato. "Dad, have you lost your mind? Don't you know who she is? She is KS Group's president—our direct competitor!"KS Group is also bidding for Project A5. No matter how much you favor her, you should at least recognize the limits. If you promote her, it's a blatant conflict of interest—outright cronyism!" Newton sneered. "I might understand your concern if I were promoting someone other than Alyssa."His gaze hardened. "Cronyism? A conflict of interest? I wonder who you're really talking about."With those words, he cast a knowing, enigmatic glance at Justin's blank expression. Just then, a board member from Javier's
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa
Julien's merciless, hate-filled words hit Jonah like a ton of bricks. The pain was unbearable, a gut-wrenching ache that shattered his heart.Under the dim lighting, Julien vaguely noticed a sorrowful tear forming at the corner of Jonah's eye. But before it could fall, Jonah forced a blink, swallowing his emotions whole. Despite Jonah's attempt to brace himself, sorrow engulfed him, a tidal wave of despair. His features mirrored the devastation ripping through his heart. As Evan opened the driver's side door, Julien lurched forward and vomited again. The sickening sound of him retching echoed in the air as if he were expelling everything inside him. "Judas, Mr. Lovelace looks like he's suffering from alcohol poisoning. We should take him to the hospital."Evan's worry deepened at Julien's condition. Jonah wordlessly removed his suit jacket and began cleaning the mess in the car. His chest tightened painfully as he watched Julien groaning, clearly suffering. Then, without he
Jonah's gaze burned with a mix of longing, sorrow, and something deeply affectionate. The world swam back into focus as Julien looked at Jonah. Without preamble, he asked, "Are you new? How much do you charge per night?"Light-headed and grinning, Julien reached out a hand, his fingers brushing softly against Jonah's cheek. "You're pretty good-looking," he said, his voice slurred. Then his expression shifted. "Why do you… look so much like someone I hate with every fiber of my being?"Jonah's heart clenched. Even so, he slid his arms around Julien's waist. Trembling, he pulled Julien into his arms. "I'm new here. Could you help me meet my target tonight, Mr. Lovelace?"Julien's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Jonah. Jonah's eyes teared up as he held Julien's waist tightly. "I promise you won't be disappointed," he said, his voice deep. Watching from the shadows below the stage, Evan nearly gagged at Jonah's sultry tone. Was this really the Judas he knew? The man sounded downri
The bar was alive with striking lights and thundering music, and the air was thick with the scent of tobacco and alcohol. The atmosphere was one of moral decay—corrupt, degrading, and vile. "Where's Julien?" Jonah's voice cut through the noise, his tone icy and sharp. When Jonah stepped inside, the eyes of several men turned toward him, their gazes filled with illicit intent."Why, hello there. Are you here alone? Are you feeling lonely?" A sexy man sauntered over, draping himself over Jonah's shoulders. He let his hands linger with a playful squeeze. "If you're bored, I'd be happy to keep you company." Jonah's expression darkened. His hands trembled, veins bulging with barely contained rage. Suddenly, Evan burst through the crowd, his face twisting in alarm at the sight of Jonah surrounded by a swarm of predatory men. Evan yelled, "Don't touch him!" A heavy thump reverberated through the room. Gasps erupted as people scrambled back.The man who had draped himself over
Rafe stated, "But Beckett Group is in the middle of a storm right now. If I insisted on giving your corporation the project, my superiors would investigate me. I wouldn't be able to escape unscathed!""If you're investigated, I'll make sure you can still live a life of luxury—even if you lose your job." Justin's tone darkened. "But if you turn against me, you won't just suffer a few losses. You'll lose everything."Under the dim moonlight, Justin fiddled with his antique tea cup, his gaze narrowing. "You've worked so hard to get to where you are. Are you prepared to lose it all?"After ending the call, Justin turned to Remy, who stood quietly at the side. "Sheryl is still being detained. She can't be bailed out for another two days. I need someone to watch over the research lab. You'll handle that."Remy was taken aback. "I failed my last mission. Aren't you going to punish me?"Justin's smile was cold and insincere. "It wasn't your fault. You were ambushed. If not for that, I tru
Remy pursed his lips, bending down to pick up the fallen poker card. It was the King of Spades—an entry pass to Kings' Club. "My attacker was…" Remy's pupils constricted as he tightened his grip on the card. "It can only be that dear uncle of mine, always claiming to see me as his own son." Justin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "He's trying to get rid of my right-hand man, taking advantage of my internal feud with Jasper. Weakening me is just his first step toward gaining control over me."He's been a fugitive ever since his successful prison break, never returning to Cyrris after receiving his life sentence. His power base remains in Kontina. "I'm the last surviving Dutton. The Dutton Group, as a cover, has declared bankruptcy and severed all ties with the country. "My dear uncle has taken a huge risk just to target me. He sent his men to attack you in Solana City. What a delightful surprise. It seems he truly doesn't trust me, his only remaining family."Remy lowere