A look of shock flashed across Amber's eyes. She stated, "According to the rules, The Millennium does not take in customers without a reservation.""But Mr. Moses just called. He would like us to host Mr. Landon." The subordinate lowered his voice. "Not only that, Mr. Moses would want you to monitor Mr. Landon's movements tonight. Make a copy of the security footage as evidence if anything unusual occurs."Amber, who had served Jameson for many years, instantly understood his intentions. She coldly replied, "Got it."She shifted her attention back to the screen after the subordinate left. She watched as Landon's car entered the underground parking, followed by his entourage of luxury cars.Oddly, the cars came to a stop in the darkness without taking further action. Despite that, Amber had a feeling that their inactivity was merely the calm before the storm.…At the same time, Preston's bodyguards assisted him into the underground parking because he was too drunk to walk straigh
"Fine. Let's have a discussion, then." With a flat expression, Landon instructed, "Jordan, get the document.""Sure, Mr. Landon." Jordan grabbed the share transfer agreement from his bag and handed it to Preston. "Mr. Preston, please sign the agreement."Glaring at the writing, Preston could no longer humble himself. Punching the ground, he growled, "Landon Harper, you're looting a burning house! This is daylight robbery!""Yes. So what?" A grin played on Landon's lips, but his eyes remained impassive. The duality of him sent a chill down Preston's spine. Landon added, "This is nothing compared to what you've done to Lauren. Anyway, I'll try my best to catch up to you. The younger generation has to do better, don't you think?"Preston scowled, and the corners of his lips twitched. He could not possibly sign the agreement, as that would mean a complete separation from the Harper Group. Without any shares to his name, he would not stand a chance of making a comeback. It was a fate
On their way back, Jordan was in charge of driving while Angelina sat in the front passenger seat. Keeping Landon company, she said to him, "Mr. Landon, we need to keep our guard up for the time being. "Jameson Schmidt is the owner of The Millennium, and he'll definitely catch wind of what happened tonight at his clubhouse. I'm worried he might use your action against Preston tonight to stab you in the back.""Whatever. He's just a paper tiger." His tone was sharp and arrogant as ever. He rasped, "I've gotten what I wanted anyway. Preston's man hurt you in the leg, so I took his arm. We're even now. As for the rest, I don't fucking care.""Mr. Landon, thank you for getting back at him on my behalf." Angelina's eyes grew misty. Choking, it took her a while to speak. "But I hope this will be the last time. I will avenge myself in the future. I do not want you to get into trouble over someone like me."He pursed his lips and fell silent."Mr. Landon, would you like to head home?" Jo
"What did you just say? Repeat it." Landon's breathing grew uneven. His eyes were shooting fire. Landon looked provoked and tethered on the brink of sanity, much to Freddy's pleasure. Freddy lifted his chin and cackled manically like a victor. "Mr. Landon, I need to thank you for my marriage to Lauren."I wouldn't have gotten her hand in marriage if the Harpers had treated her better. Instead, you tortured her endlessly, triggering her despite knowing about her condition, which was totally despicable. You could have married her if it weren't for your family."Just now, Angelina and Jordan couldn't make out the content of Freddy's whisper. However, they heard his second remark loud and clear, and they looked pained."You're lying!" Landon grabbed Freddy by the collar, nearly lifting him off the ground. He then proceeded to toss Freddy against the car door. His swift action caught Freddy's bodyguards by surprise. The bodyguards attempted to stop Landon, but Angelina and Jordan imm
The maid who entered was Holly Lockstein, the best friend of the late Nina when they were working at Seaview Manor. Now that Lauren had moved home, Holly volunteered to attend to her."Why aren't you resting yet? It's late," Lauren addressed Holly gently."Ms. Lauren…" Eyes flickering, Holly finally said after some hesitation, "Mr. Landon has stood at the Seaview Manor entrance for more than two hours. I learned about this when I heard Mr. Durham talking about it with the others."Lauren's pupils wavered. She felt as if someone had stabbed her in the chest and twisted the blade."Mr. Durham and the others kept it a secret because they didn't want to wake Mr. Javier. Even if Mr. Javier is asleep, it'll be trouble if Rory learns about it." Holly looked worried.Lauren turned her back to Holly and switched on her phone. The phone vibrated nonstop as a barrage of notifications of incoming calls flooded her screen. Landon had called her many times, but he only texted her once, writing,
Lauren approached Landon, still clad in the white loungewear that she always wore when she was at Sage Manor. Her adorable appearance put a smile on Landon's face.As he smiled, a drop of tear rolled down his cheek. When their eyes met, emotions washed over them, and their hearts pounded wildly.She nearly could not recognize Landon as he'd lost many pounds. Suppressing her heartache, she pursed her lips and said nothing, fearing that she might cry if she opened her mouth.If she cried in front of Landon, the resolution that she had shown would all mean nothing.Landon went up to his lover with heavy footsteps and hugged her in tears. She wept in silence, suppressing any sound and refraining from returning his hug.Despite that, her uneven breathing and her racing heart were proof of her emotions.There were three things that couldn't be hidden—coughing, poverty, and love.During his journey, Landon had many thoughts and questions for Lauren. He wanted to ask Lauren about the re
Landon's suit was drenched in sweat. The color drained from his face when he heard Lauren's cruel words. How could she advise him to let go of the unforgettable memories with such ease?At that moment, they heard a jarring honking sound. Heart sinking, Lauren turned around and found a vehicle's high beam in her face.Rory got out of the car and politely opened the car door for Javier, who was clad in leisure wear. Javier got out of the car as well, seemingly woken up from his sleep."Lauren, what did you promise me?" Standing in the lights, Javier said sternly, "Didn't you promise me never to meet anyone from the Harper family? Why are you giving me trouble? Are you going to follow in Jasper's footsteps as well? Is Jasper a bad influence on you?"Jasper was Lauren's Achilles' heel. She was instantly reminded of Javier's conversation with him that night. "Dad, please don't blame this on Jasper. Life's been difficult for him over the years. He's sacrificed too much for his work, so
Jasper and Alyssa exchanged astonished looks. Cyrus, no doubt, must have been referring to Lauren.After that, they heard Mandy's shocked gasp. "Cyrus, what are you talking about? Marrying Lauren? Since when have you caught feelings for her?"Tell me, what role did you play in the breakup between Lauren and Landon? For heaven's sake, please don't tell me you came between them. You're only going to humiliate me. A Taylor son can be gay, but he shouldn't break up relationships!"Cyrus, Jasper, and Alyssa stared at Mandy speechlessly.After some silence, Cyrus explained bitterly, "I gave up on Lauren because I saw how much she and Landon were in love. Landon seemed to care for her very much, and I did not want to stir trouble. All I wanted for Lauren was a smooth sailing relationship."Alyssa lowered her gaze and let out a quiet sigh. Cyrus and Lauren shared a similarity—in that they always prioritize the needs of others before themselves. They were both empathetic and sensitive.Fr
Alyssa followed Jasper into the study. The door closed behind her with a soft click. She didn't move to switch on the lights or sit down. Instead, she stood quietly in the dim room.They faced each other, eyes locked. In the darkness, their gazes seemed brighter, charged with emotions that neither could put into words. Whatever stirred within them was tangled and silent—kept at bay by something unspoken, as if a wall had formed between heart and mouth. After a pause, Alyssa offered a faint smile. Her voice was soft, almost courteous. "Go ahead, Mr. Beckett. I won't be staying long tonight—I've made other arrangements."It was clear she didn't want to be alone in a room with him.Jasper's chest tightened, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion he couldn't define. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "You didn't vote against the motion at today's board meeting. I wanted to know… are we still on the same side?"Alyssa's gaze lowered, her voice steady and calm. "You didn't object
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"Mr. Lexington," the doctor greeted respectfully, lowering his head slightly. Everyone at the base knew who Sheryl and Remy were. They were the ones in charge, the decision-makers. So, everyone obeyed their orders without question. To the staff unaware of the facility's true purpose, Sheryl and Remy stood at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. Unbeknownst to them, someone more powerful lurked in the shadows."How has she been these past few days?" Remy asked, his expression unreadable."She's had some adverse reactions, but there are no signs of organ failure yet. Honestly, I'm surprised. She looks frail, but her body is incredibly resilient—stronger than some men, even."The doctor scoffed. "But I'm not sure if she'll make it past her fourth injection today. Last month, four test subjects didn't survive beyond that point. Their bodies have already been sent to the incinerator." Remy's jaw tensed. His voice was husky as he said, "As I've instructed, this woman must be kept alive.
Xavier seethed as he took in the insincere smile on Justin's face. Deep down, he was cursing him with every profanity imaginable. "Whatever makes you happy."Ignoring Justin's dark gaze, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead as he strode past him.Out of nowhere, Justin chuckled and asked, "Did you really think you had people on your side during the board meeting?"Jasper halted, his eyes narrowing. "Grandpa tried his best to shield you, but his health is failing by the day. How much longer do you think an old man can protect you?"Lowering his gaze, Justin idly adjusted the ruby cufflinks on his sleeves. His voice was casual yet cutting. "And Lyse—after how ruthlessly you discarded her, do you still believe she'll stand by you no matter what? That she'll fight alongside you like before?"The intense midday sun accentuated the sharp, aloof, and pallid features of Jasper's face as he stood, unyielding, in its glare. His pulse quickened. Finally, he answered, his voice a low rasp. "R
As the board meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.News of Justin securing his position as president and Alyssa joining the board quickly spread through Beckett Group.After the meeting, Alyssa escorted Newton back to Crescent Bay while Jasper remained at the corporation to handle some matters.With Xavier accompanying him, Jasper strode toward the chairman's office, his expression cold and unreadable.Nearby, a few employees huddled together, whispering."Psst! Do you think Alyssa joining the board means she's teaming up with Jasper to take down our new president?""People have been saying they broke up since they haven't been seen together for a while," another speculated."But at the press conference, Alyssa openly condemned Mr. Justin. That looked like she was siding with Jasper. So, are they still together or not?""Come on, to people like them, personal feelings don't matter—only their own interests do. Even if they broke up, they can still work together if it
When Jonah reached the bedside, he leaned in slowly, giving Julien an unobstructed view of his tanned skin, well-defined abs, and that devastatingly captivating face. Reclining against the headboard, Julien found himself lost in Jonah's eyes. His breath hitched, and his mind momentarily blanked as Jonah's mesmerizing gaze locked onto him. What could he do? His heart still betrayed him, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He was a fool—a pathetic fool. Jonah braced his arms on either side of Julien's head, his dark eyes overflowing with a raw, possessive affection. It was as if he sought to consume Julien—just as he had last night."Julien, does it still hurt—" "Fuck you!" Julien's bloodshot eyes blazed as he swung his hand, landing a sharp slap across Jonah's face. The illusion of his frailty shattered. A crimson handprint bloomed on Jonah's cheek in a split second, the flesh puffing up visibly. But the sting barely registered. Not when the ache in Jonah's chest was alr
Justin frowned as a hint of surprise flashed across his dark eyes. He had assumed Newton's unannounced appearance at the board meeting—along with Alyssa's involvement—was a coordinated effort with Jasper to overthrow him as president. After mentally running through hundreds of countermeasures, the one possibility he hadn't considered was that everything would proceed smoothly in his favor. Javier was equally stunned, though this outcome aligned with his desires. Today, Justin wasn't merely his son but a constant shadow looming over him, a silent predator watching his every move and reminding him that his past actions weren't completely buried. Instead, this secret loomed like a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment, obliterating everything he'd built. And the person holding the detonator was Justin—his eldest son whom he had trusted above all others. With a dim gaze, Javier watched Justin rise to his feet amid the applause. Suddenly, Justin's voice seemed distant,
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