"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
Jasper and Xavier returned to the hospital after accomplishing their mission. He was eager to share the exciting news with Alyssa, but he did not summon her when he learned that she was in discussion with Julien in the hospital's director's office regarding Lauren's treatment plan. Instead, he quietly waited for Alyssa in the guest room next to the office.After some waiting, he finally saw Alyssa approaching him in light, bouncy steps. "Jasper!"Smiling, he did not have a chance to rise because Alyssa had settled on the space between his spread legs, cupping his face and kissing him passionately. Her rosy lips brushed against his, and she made out with him with an intense hunger.His breathing grew heavy. Feeling aroused, he pulled her into his arms and deepened the kiss. He finally let go of her when she struggled to catch a breath and moaned softly. Between heavy breaths, he caressed her round and firm rump. He remarked, "Darling, you're acting weird.""What's wrong?" She li
The news of Betty's bloodline broke out and spread like wildfire beyond the Beckett Group's control. Newton, who remained hospitalized, was shocked and infuriated upon learning the news. He demanded to meet Javier during the night.He began berating Javier in front of Jasper and Alyssa, not caring about their presence."What did I say to you? You should lay low at this rocky moment. Besides, you should stay by Lauren's side as her dad because she remains unconscious. You shouldn't have done anything unnecessary!"Does public perception matter that much? My granddaughter is more important than any bullshit reputation!"As the head of the family, why did you bother explaining yourself in a hurry to people who don't matter? You seem more confused and unwise the older you get, and your decisions are undignified!"Newton turned pale and breathed heavily after scolding Javier. Seeing that, Alyssa hurriedly patted him on the back while Jasper handed him a glass of water."The situatio
"At first, Lyse started having suspicion of Betty's lack of resemblance to Dad, but she kept it to herself without digging deeper into it."It wasn't until Betty showed her true color and hurt Lauren that Lyse started questioning the difference in character between the two sisters. She then decided to run a paternity test, and the result proved her right." Jasper looked at Alyssa affectionately.He added flatly, "Lyse understood it was a huge deal. She repeatedly reminded me to deal with the matter prudently without making it public."It was me who decided to reveal the news at the press conference. She had nothing to do with it. Grandpa, please don't blame her."Newton's heart swelled when he learned the truth. He glanced at Alyssa with gratitude. "Alice, you've been a great help to our family. I can't possibly blame her for anything. In fact, I need to compliment her. Don't mistake me for your fool of a father."Javier clenched his fists. Feelings of shame bubbled in his chest.
Jasper clearly felt the warmth seeping out of Alyssa's hand. Her breathing grew heavier. He immediately knew that the unpleasant memories had triggered her and left her heartbroken.He held the back of her head and gently kissed her on the forehead. Then, he offered her some comforting remarks, "Lyse, forget the unhappy memories. Look at me. I'm perfectly fine and healthy now, thanks to my talented wife, who fixed my broken skull!"Alyssa shook her head in frustration because she knew that Jasper had never made a full recovery. His old injury lingered, but his condition improved only because of the love and care she showered him after they got back together. His stress levels decreased, which led to improvements in his neurological health, and coupled with medical treatments, he finally stopped relapsing.However, she was well aware of how he endured the pain when he was stressed out during the day. After putting her to sleep at night, he would secretly take painkillers for relief
"That goes without saying." Javier left the room with a firm resolve. "I will not repeat my mistake!"…Betty had been spending her days locked up with the most vicious and filthy of female criminals in the detention center, where she slept on rock-hard beds and had nasty food for meals. Her life was worse than her time in Mosgravia.After the news of the abduction broke out, Javier sent an attorney to visit Betty. The attorney had promised to bail her out on medical grounds and get her to the hospital in three days. She would be staying at a VIP patient suite, far away from the crummy detention center.Betty, who had been acting timid and reserved in detention, immediately felt more spirited after learning about the incoming help. She did not learn her lesson and reverted to her arrogant self while still being detained.However, the prisoners did not take it well. Enraged, they beat her and cursed at her the entire day, forcing her to clean the restrooms. They handed her a basin
Betty barked, "Shut up! You're just my dad's lapdog. This is not your place to speak!""Enough! You should be the one shutting up." Javier slammed his fist on the table, which sent Betty reeling from the shock. She stammered, "D-Dad…""You repeatedly hurt my daughter. Sending you to jail is being merciful to you." Leaning forward, Javier clenched his jaw and seethed, "You deserve to go to hell with that evil mom of yours!"Shaking from head to toe, Betty pressed her hands against the glass. "Dad! Dad, what are you talking about? I'm as much your daughter as Lauren is! I was Zoe's victim—she threatened me! You can't watch me suffer!""Why would I save you?" Javier slowly rose from his seat. Then, he cast an arrogant and heartless look at Betty as if she were an enemy. "I'm here today to let you know that your problems are none of my business from now on. I will not visit you again. The sight of you disgusts me.""Dad…""Stop calling me Dad. You're not my daughter—only Lauren is!"
In Mosgravia, Justin was seated behind a sculpted wooden screen in a tea room filled with incense smoke. Dressed in white, he looked elegant, divine, and otherworldly, like he had walked out of a painting. He was in the middle of a chess game with Sheryl."Sir, we got news from Solana City. Javier Beckett has completely given up on Betty," Sheryl muttered quietly. "The paternity test result you dropped at the press conference was a huge blow to Mr. Javier.""That was expected." Justin lowered his gaze. He said indifferently, "Sophia Kirkman was useless. You can't expect much from her daughter."I knew Betty wasn't a Beckett many years ago. I was aware of Sophia Kirkman's secrets as well.""Were you? Why didn't you call them out?" Sheryl looked taken aback. "Sophia Kirkman abused her position as the family matriarch to misappropriate company funds. Weren't you worried about her actions? What if she got her hands on the company stocks or made Javier Beckett her puppet as she took con
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