"That's true. But Cyrus Taylor is way better than Freddy Hodgson." Rory scoffed. "How dare Freddy Hodgson complain to you in your face? I wonder if he's lost his mind."The scowl on Javier's face deepened when Rory breached the topic. Rory added, "Mr. Javier, I think Cyrus is serious about Ms. Lauren. Why don't you call off the engagement to Freddy Hodgson? Marrying Ms. Lauren off to the Taylors is more advantageous for you. I'm sure Mr. Newton would be glad—""Firstly, my son wanted to marry Alyssa; now, my daughter wants to marry Cyrus. Are there no other suitors for my children other than the Taylors?" Javier furiously slammed his hand on the armrest.Rory quickly shut up. Javier looked out of the window indignantly. Objectively speaking, Mandy's son was much better than Freddy or even Landon. Javier was aware of Freddy's lack of affection for Lauren—the young man merely went along with his family's arrangements. In comparison, Javier could tell that Cyrus genuinely loved L
Upon hearing that, Zoe glared at Freddy. She examined his face which was colored with anger, all because of Lauren.She had a feeling that Freddy's feelings for Lauren had changed. In the past, he displayed nothing but scorn toward Lauren. However, he seemed to be green in envy over Lauren now."No way… I can't let this slide!" His temples throbbed in fury. "Our families agreed on the marriage. Lauren Beckett shall be mine, and no one can take her from me!"As he was speaking, Zoe straddled him naked without warning and slapped him twice in the face. He looked confounded. "Zoe, w-what are you doing?""Freddy Hodgson, that's too much! Didn't you vow only to love me in this life? You said you only have me in your heart!" She glowered at him as she tightened her grip on his neck as if she wanted to suffocate him to death. "All your reactions show that you're catching feelings for that idiot. Tell me. Have you fallen for Lauren Beckett?""N-No, Zoe, I didn't! I'm marrying her to aveng
Zoe calmed down and said to Betty, "I have an important call to take. Wait for me. I'll make the arrangements and call you back."Then, she hung up on Betty and picked up Penelope's call with a sweet tone, "Hello, Mom…"Penelope sighed. She began hesitantly, "Zoe, come with me to visit Uncle Preston in the hospital. Your grandpa will be there as well.""Is Uncle Preston… hospitalized?""Landon beat him up badly. He suffered from serious injuries—he lost his arm, to be exact, and he's forever crippled. He drifts in and out of sleep all day. I hesitated to tell you about it because I'm worried that his bad condition would give you a scare.""What? Did Landon…" Stunned, Zoe cared less about Preston's misfortune than her own fate. She feared for herself now that Landon had dealt with Preston.Landon seemed to be getting serious. Based on Zoe's understanding of his character, she knew that this was just the start. He wouldn't go easy on Preston, and that was the price one had to pay f
"What?""Is that true?"Jasper and Alyssa exclaimed at the same time—one looking astonished, and the other agitated.Sean gulped. He was parched from rushing all the way here. "It's true! To prevent anyone from tampering with the result, I made Dr. Lovelace perform the DNA test in Mosgravia. The DNA test in Solana City was carried out in one of the Taylor family's hospitals. I even monitored the entire process!"Jasper's lashes cast a shadow under his eyes. He repeatedly read the outrageous and wicked results printed on the report. It clearly said that Betty was not related to Javier.Alyssa soon calmed down after all the agitation. The report had confirmed her longtime skepticism. She had started questioning Betty's bloodline from Betty's personality, character, and looks. Now, the truth had finally been revealed."Sean, did Julien say anything to you when you requested the DNA test?""Oh, he did." Sean looked amused. "He asked me if any one of Mr. Winston's wives was pregnant and if
"Why can't you even handle a minor task? Do you not want your bonus?" Jasper scowled.Alyssa kept her composure. "Xavier, calm down. Take your time.""After Betty left the hospital, my men had been tailing her. They saw her dragged into a white Bentley, and she stayed in that car for quite a while."Alyssa felt her heart sank at that information. She was plagued by unease.Jasper demanded. "Where did she go in that car?""She didn't go anywhere. After a while, they sent her back to her rental. She did not step out of the house for three days after that—not even taking out the trash."By then, our men realized something was off. They broke into her place and found her missing. She didn't even pack her bags."Alyssa questioned, "How about her passport and identity card?""She didn't take them with her at all. She literally vanished into thin air!" Xavier grew emotional and worried. "I had people stationed at the airport to monitor her movements. She had no money and no identifica
Preston quivered in anger. His face turned white. "Dad, how could you say so? Preston is your son too! I don't know how he'll live out the rest of his life after what Landon did to him!"You didn't offer him words of comfort or even hold Landon responsible. Instead, you're pinning the blame on him. Do you want him dead?" Sylvia widened her eyes in disbelief and raged."How am I supposed to hold Landon responsible? He's the second largest stockholder of Harper Group and the company president. All the directors on the board pledged their loyalty to him. Laying a finger on him would mean hurting the company. "As the family patriarch, shouldn't I look at the big picture?"Preston clutched his bedsheet tightly. Anger festered in him. What Cornelius did wasn't "looking at the big picture", but sacrificing his second son.Cornelius knitted his brows and sank into a short silence. Then, he said resolutely, "Preston, I bought the flight tickets for you. Take a few days' rest before you emigra
Preston stared at her with a fake smile and a spiteful stare. "I'm now disabled thanks to your genius idea! It's pretty unfair that I'm struggling while you get away with it.""Uncle Preston, what else can you do now?" Zoe immediately distanced herself from the situation. "You were the one who released Lauren's mental health diagnosis on the board of directors' meeting. You arranged for Lauren to be put away. I wasn't part of it at all."No one would believe in empty accusations anyway. Do you have evidence to prove that I gave you the diagnosis? I'm afraid you can't drag me down with you.""Is that so?" Preston let out a loud cackle, which gave her the goosebumps. "Dear Zoe, do you really think that your actions were secret? Do you remember ganging up and bullying Lauren when you were in school?"Her heart felt like a jackhammer in her chest. Turning pale, she stammered, "W-What are you talking about? No one bullied her!""Well, I'm 30 years your senior. I'm more shrewd and exper
With help from a woman named "Ms. Gardner", Betty returned to Solana City successfully. After that, she hid in a single-story house in a small village on the outskirts of town, just like a wanted criminal. She only dared to roam around nearby and only left the house to purchase necessities. Other than that, she didn't dare to journey too far. She had no guts to stay at any hotel or inn. She feared that she would be captured by Jasper's men the moment she showed her face in the city. Her living condition was akin to a rat living in the sewers. This ignited the fire of hatred within her even more. She couldn't wait to get her revenge so that she could get out of her current situation. At nightfall, Betty and Zoe agreed to meet at a quiet café in the suburbs. When her coffee was served, Zoe caught a whiff of it and pushed it away in disgust. "What's this? Horse shit? Is this even drinkable?" Betty, on the other hand, drank her coffee calmly. "It's coffee from civet poop." "Poop my
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
The hospital ward grew heavy with silence. Mandy and Neil stared at Alyssa, stunned beyond words. "M-Ms. Alyssa, you knew that man was Mr. Damien?" Neil asked, disbelief etched into his voice. "Yes." Alyssa's reply was quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "We found out when Cyrus took Damien's cigarette butt for a paternity test."Mandy approached Alyssa, her shoulders trembling slightly. "So, you and Cyrus knew… and you both kept it from me?" Mandy said, her voice catching in her throat, tears welling up. Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Mandy, I'm sorry. It was my decision. Cyrus had nothing to do with it."Mandy's tears fell freely now, her grief spilling out in raw sobs. "Do you know what it's been like for me all these years, thinking Damien was gone? Winston, Miley, Lyla, and Colene kept telling me to move on. I tried to accept that he was dead, that we'd never find his body. But I never did."Her vo
The hospital ward was bathed in a dim, yellow glow from the bedside lamp. The silence was thick, yet the room held a strange warmth—an unfamiliar comfort that felt oddly familiar to Remy.Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to sit up. His eyes fell on Mandy, who was asleep beside his bed. Her hair was a mess, and her swollen eyes suggested she'd been crying. She was sound asleep. Remy stiffened. His breath quickened as he stared at her fragile figure. Slowly, he leaned forward, his fingers lifting slightly, tempted to reach out.Just as his hand hovered close, Mandy's lashes fluttered. In her sleep, she murmured, "Damien… Damien… I miss you so much…" Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unbidden.A pang tugged at Remy's heart. Without thinking, he brushed away her tears with his calloused fingers. The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through him, sharp and electrifying. Pain throbbed at his temples, but beneath it was a warmth he didn't want to let g
Justin's casual question hit Javier like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through him, freezing his expression. His voice trembled with fear as he barked, "What nonsense is that? Are you accusing me of causing Chester's death? I'm your father—how could you think I'd do such a thing?""It's not an accusation. Just the facts," Justin replied coolly, crossing his legs and savoring his tea with unsettling calm. "And I'm not condemning you. In fact, I understand why you did it. I'm facing the same dilemma now."Javier's breathing grew ragged. He had watched Justin grow from a child into the man before him—now a predator, circling with quiet menace."You were meant to be the heir as the eldest son," Justin continued, his voice smooth as silk. "But Grandpa favored Uncle Chester, handing him major projects, grooming him in plain sight. "Uncle Chester's reputation soon eclipsed yours. He was a natural leader, adept at business, with one fatal flaw—he was kind. Too kind. Unlike you."Justin
Nonetheless, night had fallen by the time Justin arrived at Seaview Manor. On his way there, he worked on two things. First, he secured the top legal team to get Sheryl out on bail as quickly as possible. Second, he tried reaching Remy—unsuccessfully. He had never lost contact with Remy before. Justin's face was as dark as the night itself. The moment he stepped inside Seaview Manor, Rory approached with a solemn expression. He gave a slight bow before speaking. "Mr. Justin, what took you so long? Mr. Javier has been waiting.""I was occupied," Justin replied coolly. Then, as if it were an ordinary evening, he allowed a faint smile. "Where's Jasper? Is he back here yet?" A conflicted look came across Rory's face. "Things between you and Mr. Jasper have soured. I doubt he'll want to see you anytime soon—or show up here.""Is that so? How disappointing."Justin's smile didn't reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on Rory, sharp and bottomless. "So, he'd rather believe what he se
Jonah scoured every corner of the hotel, desperation clawing at his chest, but Julien was nowhere to be found. "Jonah!" Alyssa called out, breathless as she caught up to him. She grabbed his arm. "Calm down! I'll help you search for Jul!""I can't find him. He's gone," Jonah murmured, sinking to the floor. His tears mixed with sweat, creating dark patches on the ground. "Lyse… I fear… if I can't find Julien this time, I'll lose him forever."The agonizing thought of losing the love of his life pierced him. "No, you won't!" Alyssa gripped his arm tighter, her voice trembling with conviction. "If Jul had given up on you, he wouldn't have come here today. The fact that he showed up means he still cares."Jonah's eyes were bloodshot, filled with a pain too deep to hide. He shook his head slowly. "Julien came back for Jasper. He did it because he's loyal… because he's a good friend. Not because of me.""He does care!" Alyssa insisted. "If he didn't, he would've faced you without fli