"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
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