Being Lauren's most trusted friend and protecting her by his side would also bring Cyrus happiness.Angelina had also been quietly following not far behind them.Recalling Landon's pale face when he left, she knew that something bad must have happened, and it left her feeling extremely anxious.Just then, Cyrus remembered how Lauren had stopped in front of a shop window full of dolls when they first entered. He thought she might find them inconvenient during the outing, so he thought of buying one for her before they left.Right now, they happened to be at the entrance of the store, and the dolls were still there.Cyrus' eyes lit up. "Lauren, wait for me. I'll be right back.""Okay." Lauren nodded obediently.Cyrus turned around and quickly walked toward the store.As he took a few steps, he thought about Lauren's social anxiety and how uncomfortable she would be without anyone by her side. Therefore, he gave up the idea of surprising her with the doll and decided to take her i
"It's you?" Cyrus and Angelina were both shocked.The man before them was the same assassin who had severely injured Angelina during their last encounter and abducted Lauren.Now, he was here again. Though he remained unmoved, his presence still sent chills down Angelina's spine.Meanwhile, Cyrus stared incredulously at Remy's familiar yet unfamiliar face. He looked a lot like Damien."If you had fired and killed any of them, you might have had a chance to catch up. Unfortunately, you didn't."Remy's eyes were cold, and his hands were tucked into the pockets of his black leather jacket. His tone dripped with disdain toward Cyrus as he said, "That's why I've always looked down on you police officers."Even with the power to punish evil, you still hesitate just to look out for yourselves. Now, you won't catch up.""Who… are you?" Cyrus asked sternly. His forehead was covered in sweat."You're about to die. There's no point in knowing." As Remy said that, a glint of coldness flash
"Damien!" Cyrus cried out, unable to contain his tears as they streamed down his face. The tip of the blade had pierced his coat, sending a jolt of sharp, cold pain through him. Everything screeched to a halt, as if someone had hit a pause button. Cyrus' sorrowful visage held Remy's gaze captive. A detachment crept in, a chilling sensation like his spirit was untethering itself. Then, a wave of dizziness washed over him, unlike anything he'd ever experienced.As Remy lost his focus, Cyrus pulled the trigger.He shot Remy's hand, the one holding the knife. Pain lanced through Remy, yet he didn't make a sound. A deep frown creased his face as he let the weapon clatter to the ground. Cyrus wanted to apprehend Remy, but the beating had left him battered. He struggled to rise, clutching the gun tightly, prepared to defend himself if Remy attacked again.However, Remy made no move toward him. Instead, he walked over to his accomplice lying on the ground, and together, they disap
A cold, damp chill and the acrid bite of dust and stale tobacco filled Lauren's senses as she struggled to open her eyelids. Reality blurred with the remnants of a nightmare.Blurry and disoriented, she felt a pair of icy hands stroking her skin."Who's there?"Lauren's eyes snapped open, bulging wide like a startled deer. As she shifted her focus, a horrifying scene unfolded before her.Freddy sat by her bedside, his cold hands creeping along her slender waist, inching their way up, touching every inch of her skin."D-Don't touch me!" she rasped, the words laced with raw fear. A surge of adrenaline fueled a frantic struggle, but her limbs met only unyielding resistance. Only then did she realize that her hands and feet were bound. Helpless and trapped, she could only watch as Freddy's hands roamed over her body, feeling the burning humiliation coursing through her veins."Don't touch?" Freddy smirked, his lips close to her ear as his hand continued to roam over her body. His
"Yet, here you are, barging in, knowing full well I'm occupied. What a party pooper," Freddy grumbled, slowly re-fastening his belt, his displeasure evident on his face.The man in the blue suit flicked the cigarette butt to the ground. "You can indulge later. Zoe wants us to bring Lauren to her."Lauren's eyes darkened at the mention of Zoe's name, plunging her further into a pit of despair.…Jasper and Alyssa led Sean, Xavier, and the others to the western suburbs.Despite severe injuries, Cyrus insisted on leading a police team to the abandoned factory where both parties were expected to converge.They made efforts to keep Lauren's kidnapping under wraps, fearing it could negatively impact both the Beckett Group and the Harper Group, especially Newton. They knew he wouldn't take it well, and the risk of angering the kidnappers and endangering Lauren was too great.During the journey, Jasper learned from Landon that Cornelius might have come to harm, prompting him to call the
"Lauren isn't there?"Jasper and Alyssa's hearts sank at Angelina's words. "She's not here! I've combed the place, but there's no sign of her," Angelina choked out, her voice thick with emotion. Alyssa maintained her composure, speaking gently to Angelina. "Angelina, it's okay. You did your best in a difficult situation. Now, tell me everything from the beginning. Who informed you about Lauren's kidnapping and directed you to the abandoned factory in the western suburbs?""Mr. Cyrus and I were hot on the kidnappers' trail, but we were intercepted by the man who previously abducted Lauren!" Angelina recounted."It's him again!" Alyssa's heart hammered against her ribs. Lauren's enigmatic portrait, a doppelganger for Damien, taunted her memory."I was outmatched, so Cyrus decided to stall the man while I went to rescue Lauren," Angelina continued, her tone filled with frustration. "But the man had a female accomplice. "She fought me and deliberately let me stab her, severely in
"No, Jameson can't get wind of this!" Alyssa frowned, her grip tightening on Jasper's shoulder. "Think about it—if he finds out we're onto him, who's in the crosshairs?"Jasper met her gaze, understanding dawning in his eyes. "Amber.""Amber helped Axel escape the Millennium and provided intel that brought Josh down. This time, she'd risked everything to tell us about Lauren. She's clearly switched sides and become our ally."Confronting Jameson would put Amber in the line of fire. He's ruthless, and wouldn't hesitate to kill Amber just to vent!"Jasper's jaw clenched, a heavy weight settling in his chest. He pulled Alyssa close, his voice a low murmur against her hair. "You're too compassionate, Lyse. Unwilling to hurt anyone who's helped us, even a little.""Anyone with a conscience wouldn't stand by while Jameson does what he does," Alyssa countered, a bitter edge to her voice. "There must be a reason she follows him." Despite the bitterness, her gaze remained resolute. "As lon
Lauren's gaze locked onto Betty's hideous face, her eyes now ablaze with defiance. The lifelessness that had marred her eyes after the torture was replaced with a fierce emotion that only fueled Betty's anger further."Don't you dare look at me like that, you stupid bitch!" Betty spat, her eyes flashing with fury, eager to deliver another kick to Lauren before Zoe intervened. "That's enough. Save your anger for later," Zoe admonished Betty, halting her aggression.Mason let out a lazy yawn, breaking the tension. "Zoe, what's the point of dragging us all the way to this godforsaken place from different corners of the world? Couldn't you have chosen a more decent venue for our reunion?"Freddy shot him a cold glance. "Could you have witnessed this anywhere else? After all these years, you still sound like a spoiled brat.""Damn it, you little piece of—"Mason wanted to cuss Freddy out, but the woman in the red dress stopped him with a shake of her head.While the Hodgsons had gai
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