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
Preston quivered in fear and sweated profusely. The five injections represented revenge for five different victims.Oddly, even when Preston had his arm severed by Landon, or when he was shot three times at the swimming pool, he had never felt closer to death than this moment.Perhaps Jordan was right. Preston's courage to die seemed to fade away after being given a second shot at life.Jordan, with a steely look in his eyes, injected the first poison into Preston's chest. The cold needle pierced through the skin, causing Preston to writhe as though he was being electrocuted. His eyes popped out in agony as he moaned."The first injection is for Landon's late father, who is dead because of you. After this shot, your limbs will go numb, and you will experience convulsions." Jordan picked up the second syringe and plunged it into Preston's left rib. "This shot is for Mr. Cornelius. You will feel a sharp pain in your stomach, as well as a headache and nausea."Preston cast a pleading
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
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc