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
Jordan was able to get away without a hitch thanks to the other car that stopped the police at the hospital. A black vehicle zoomed through the brightly lit Solana Highway. Landon was staring out the window. His eyes were empty and dark. Under the flickering lights, his face was alluring as usual but inexplicably desolate. It was as if he was a completely different person. Jordan observed him closely, searching for any trace of his presidential demeanor, but found none whatsoever. Landon was completely broken. "I didn't issue any orders. You shouldn't have done more than what I've instructed you to." After a long silence, Landon spoke up softly, "There are numerous opportunities to kill Preston. Yet, you chose the one time when it was the riskiest." "I'm sorry, Mr. Landon." Jordan lowered his head. He clenched his fists tightly. "It's just that… I really wanted him to die. He's considered lucky to even be able to live another day! "I'm sorry. I know that I've made thi
Jordan was initially taken aback. Then, he answered, "Alright. I'll look into it tomorrow." Landon was about to hang up when Penelope continued with her tirade on the phone."Landon Harper! I am your mother! I can't believe that you want to keep me locked up in an asylum. You're a madman! Let me tell you this… Even if the entire Harper Group ends up in your hands… even if you are now the head of the family, I am not afraid! I will give my all and use all of my connections to rescue Zoe! "Come and take my life if you're that capable! You're disowning me anyway… Well, I will not have such an ungrateful and ruthless man as my son! You are no longer my son!" "Okay." Without any hesitation, Landon hung up the call. His world was now quiet. Jordan stared at Landon in shock. After a while, he queried, "M-Mr. Landon, are you really cutting off ties with Madam Penelope? You have just taken over the entire Harper Group. I'm worried that the media will come up with nonsense if they h
Landon sat by the bedside, lifting Lauren's bruised hand and gently pressing it to his cheek. He rubbed her hand tenderly against his cheek before placing a delicate kiss on her palm. This was also how he typically showed her affection. He treated her like an incredibly fragile and precious object, guarding her with unwavering devotion. He had cared for her diligently, yet those monsters had mercilessly ravaged his beloved, dragging her through the mire and shattering her. "Lauren, I'm right here. Open your eyes and look at me, will you?" he implored, tears welling in his eyes, his lips quivering with emotion. "Wake up... Don't leave me alone."In the end, he remained seated like that until daybreak. Early the next day, Javier, accompanied by Rory, arrived to visit Lauren. Jasper was sitting outside the hospital ward. He hadn't slept all night. A conflicted look came across his eyes when he saw Javier, but he stood up anyway. "Have you been sitting here all night without s