Without hesitation, Landon yelled in a hoarse voice, "I'll never make a pick! I want to save both of them!""Landon Harper, are you trying to get your hands on both of them?" Cackling manically, Preston turned to face Angelina, who was held on the springboard. "Angelina, your hard work and loyalty are worth it. Look! He's keen to make you his mistress!""You bastard! Vile son of a bitch! You'd better shut your fucking mouth!" Angelina bellowed at Preston. "If you want revenge, take my life! Release Madam!""Stay still!" Frank jabbed the back of her head with the muzzle of the gun."Tsk tsk. She's a feisty bitch." Preston shook his head.Even as pain seeped through every part of Angelina's body, she remained fueled by rage. She yelled at Landon, "Mr. Landon, don't mind me! Save Madam—you must save her!""I want both!" His eyes took on a murderous look as he reiterated his stance with determination."Landon, you own a lot. Stop being greedy. You can't have your cake and eat it," P
Surprisingly, Preston had the time to laugh at the situation. He quipped, "I'm afraid time is running out for someone here, though. My dearest nephew, haven't you made your choice?"The water in the glass tank had reached Lauren's chest."Mr. Landon!" Angelina urged him in a quivering voice. Their worried eyes met, and time and space seemed to come to a stop. He remembered saying to her, "Angie, come work for me."She had once said to him, "Mr. Landon, I will stay loyal to you no matter the circumstance."At that moment, she smiled at Landon through tears as she recalled their first encounter. The mirage of the teenage boy who made her heart flutter overlapped with Landon's handsome figure."I do not want you to hesitate. No matter what happens, always choose Madam," she gently muttered a heartfelt remark to Landon that sounded like a grand and touching farewell.She added, "You and Madam must live happily forever after.""No—"In a split second, Landon seemed to have underst
A gunshot echoed in the pool area. However, it was Preston who fell lifelessly onto the ground after being shot.The special forces flooded the pool area, firing two shots from their laser guns at the bulletproof glass. The tank instantly shattered into pieces as water gushed out.…Two members of the police sacrificed their lives in the rescue operation. It turned out that Preston had been colluding with underground forces to smuggle military artillery using his power as the executive director of Harper Group. Since he possessed heavy artillery, it made the rescue operation more challenging.Thankfully, the micro camera that Landon carried with him recorded the gory and ruthless battle. Thanks to him, Cyrus managed to equip his men with advanced weapons to break the tank and save the hostage.However, Lauren was on the brink of death when she was sent to the ICU. Her pulse was weak, and she was in critical condition after drowning and suffering organ injuries from the beatings.
The chill that permeated the morgue was a constant reminder of the chasm between the world of the living and the dead.Standing in the shadows of the entrance, Alyssa and Jasper allowed Landon to say his final farewell to Angelina.Angelina's lifeless face looked as pretty as ever. Covered with a white cloth, she seemed to be sleeping peacefully with a smile. It was as if she was in the middle of a lovely dream she would never wake up from.Hanging his head, Landon grappled with waves of fury that threatened to crush and suffocate him. Gulping, he gently traced her lovely profile with trembling fingers. One thing bothered him—why was she smiling when she died? She took a shot to the stomach and fell from a high place. Her bones were crushed upon impact, which felt painful just from the sound of it.Was she not afraid of the pain, like any ordinary young woman?"You look pretty when you smile. Why didn't you smile more when you were still around?" Landon mumbled in all seriousn
"I heard that a few hundred citizens went protesting at the city hall today, demanding Mayor Hodgson's resignation!"A total of seven people had been arrested, including Zoe, Betty, and Freddy. They were under detention until they were formally indicted. Meanwhile, the Hodgson couple was devastated to learn that their only son lost his tongue and injured his balls. Minnie took ibuprofen multiple times a day to soothe herself, fainting frequently from all the crying. All her time awake was spent crying and begging her husband to bail Freddy out. "What else could you do aside from crying? It's all your fault that he ended up in this situation! You spoilt him!" Orlander pointed a finger at Minnie while he chided her. "He attempted to rape Lauren Beckett, the daughter of Javier Beckett! He certainly has great taste in women, doesn't he? He's not only ruining his future but also dragging me down with him."The entire nation has probably watched him take off his pants eagerly and top h
Jasper clenched his fist so hard that his veins bulged when he received the update. He jeered. "Javier is a great father, isn't he? He wouldn't give up on his terrible daughter no matter what.""This isn't about Betty. He is trying to save his face as the family patriarch." Xavier was furious. "I saw him busy taking care of Mr. Newton at the hospital while keeping tabs on Ms. Lauren's condition. I thought he had finally come around, but I was being naïve!"From the very beginning, he has been an egoistic person who only cares about himself. You can't expect him to self-reflect and change."Jasper turned around to stare at the gray sky. "Well, since he's all about saving face, I'll make him lose face."…As public opinion continued to brew, there were increasing calls to prosecute the six bullies. Betty was implicated as well, especially because she was a Beckett and Lauren's sister. In some way, her behavior was more despicable than that of Zoe and the rest."Betty Beckett harms
The press conference descended into chaos. The air was filled with the attendees' gasps and discussions about the surprise reveal."Is that the paternity test result for Javier and Betty Beckett? Is she not his daughter? This is straight out of a telenovela! I didn't see this coming.""Not long ago, Javier Beckett was defending Betty. Now, it's revealed that she is not his daughter. It feels so surreal!""Look at his face. He looks like he has just eaten poop. I bet he has just found out about the truth.""I would have killed myself if I found out the daughter I raised for 20 years was not mine.""He was in the dark when Sophia Kirkman killed his beloved wife. He remained clueless when he was cuckolded for years. What's wrong with him?""Probably blinded by love, eh? I'm surprised he could keep that crazy woman, Sophia Kirkman, around for years. He most certainly has… unusual patience."The mocking and disdainful remarks attacked Javier. He stared vacantly at the result on the s
"Javier, listen! Your child is kicking my belly. She took after your strength!""Javier, look! Betty's eyes and mouth resembled yours. She's a carbon copy of you!"A carbon copy of his? Javier's lips twitched uncontrollably in an ugly manner. Javier had always prided himself on his wits and the elite education he had received. He couldn't believe that he had been fooled by Sophia, an actress who had hailed from the slums.However, there was nothing he could do about it—Sophia was long dead.…Surrounded by the merciless media, the forlorn Javier escaped the press conference with the help of Neil and the other bodyguards.At first, he had planned to save the situation as the family patriarch, but he hadn't expected it to backfire. The Beckett family, riddled with scandals, now had one more stain on its history.He had become a clown. He finally got into the car, looking disheveled in his wrinkled suit and messy hair. The reporters pressed their lenses against the car window t
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