"When I saw this hair clip, I really liked it and thought it would suit Ms. Alyssa," Justin said with a warm and sincere smile. "Jasper, it's just a small token of my congratulations. I hope you'll like it."With a snap, Jasper closed the satin-lined box and pushed it back to the center of the table. His eyes darkened with an inscrutable depth. "This gift is too valuable. I can't accept it, but I'll thank you on behalf of Lyse."Justin showed no sign of embarrassment. He still maintained his gentle smile as he met Jasper's gaze."What are you doing, Jasper?" Javier intervened, his displeasure evident."Justin has come back after so long and generously prepared gifts for the family, even considering your girlfriend. Are your standards so high that you can't even appreciate what he has given?"Think about how Justin has treated you since childhood. Even if you don't like it, you shouldn't refuse. It's so rude!""Don't get worked up, Dad." Justin coughed lightly before saying gently
"Mr. Jasper." Sheryl stood up and walked over to Jasper with a smile."Ms. Gillis.""The doe was injured, and I bandaged it without permission. I hope I didn't violate any of your family rules," Sheryl said softly, her eyes filled with affection.Jasper remained indifferent, maintaining his distant demeanor toward her. "No, Ms. Gillis. That was really kind of you. We should thank you.""When I was working as a doctor without borders in Luminara, I used to treat injured soldiers and civilians. I never thought my skills would come in handy for animals too." Sheryl sighed, shaking her head.Jasper's dark eyes churned with hidden emotions.In an instant, distant and elusive memories flooded his mind.Back then, in Luminara, he infiltrated the terrorist organization and fought desperately. His arm was slashed, and his leg was hit by a bullet. He was basically on the brink of death.It was White Dove who stopped his bleeding, treated his wounds, and fought to bring him back to the ba
On the way back to Crescent Bay, Xavier was driving with Ben in the passenger seat while Newton and Jasper sat in the back.Typically, they would chat endlessly, but they seemed unusually silent tonight.As they neared their destination, Newton sighed and placed his weathered hand on Jasper's shoulder. "Jasper, I know Justin went too far tonight and upset you.""I'm fine, Grandpa," Jasper replied with a faint smile. Under the dim light, his face was indescribably handsome yet cold."Don't take it to heart, Jasper," Newton continued to comfort him."He's my brother and my life savior. I can let it go this time."Jasper's words implied that if there was a next time, he wouldn't tolerate it again.He was Alyssa's husband, not a doormat. He couldn't tolerate any man harboring intentions toward Lyse under any pretext."I think Justin won't stay too long. He'll probably return to Mosgravia in a few days. In places where he's present, try not to let Alyssa show up."Newton continued,
Jasper gazed out the window with a gloomy expression, pondering Newton's earnest teachings. The more he thought about it, the more stifled he felt.Somehow, he couldn't shake the feeling that Newton was afraid of Justin.Newton's advice and determination to protect him at all costs made Jasper wonder if Justin was more than just a person in Newton's eyes. He seemed more like a bloodthirsty beast lurking in the shadows."Ahem... It was such a close call tonight, Mr. Beckett." Noticing that Jasper was down, Xavier tried to ease the mood."What?""You almost lost your innocence!""Lost what?" Jasper frowned."Earlier in the garden, Ms. Gillis almost threw herself at you. Luckily, my swift reflexes kicked in, and I arrived just in time to protect your virtue," Xavier boasted, sporting a self-satisfied grin.Virtue?Upon seeing his smug look, Jasper wanted to knock some sense into him."Even if you hadn't appeared, I wouldn't have any contact with any woman other than Lyse," Jaspe
"I couldn't sleep without you." Alyssa hurried over to Jasper and assisted him in removing his suit and loosening his tie. As she leaned in, she sniffed at his shirt collar. "You didn't drink tonight?""Justin's body can't take alcohol, so we didn't drink. We had tea tonight."Jasper hooked his left arm around her waist while using his right hand to unbutton his shirt. His pleasant voice was laced with tenderness and guilt. "I had a chat with Grandpa, so I came back late. Sorry for making you wait.""What's wrong? You seem so down tonight, like a pitiful puppy." Alyssa brushed her fingertip against his charming double eyelids while looking at him gently. "Did Justin do something to you? Did he bully you?"Suddenly, she pouted angrily. "If he dares to mess with you, I'll overturn his wheelchair! If anyone bullies my man, I'll make sure they won't end well!"Jasper, who had been trying to hide his emotions, finally couldn't restrain himself. He stared at her intensely, his eyes slig
"I can understand if Betty has lost her mind. She wasn't a normal person in the first place. But how did she lose so much blood?" Alyssa grazed her lips against Jasper's palm."I heard she was laughing and cursing at the detention center. She'd grab anyone she saw and claim to be a Beckett, saying that her father is the president of the Beckett Group. The inmates beat her up. The more they beat, the more agitated she became."Jasper's heart melted at Alyssa's submissive demeanor. He couldn't resist trailing his fingertips over her milk-stained lips. "What an ambitious lunatic." Alyssa sneered. "Last night, something must have snapped in Betty's head. She cut her hand and smeared blood on her cellmate and the wall, hence the blood loss.""Perhaps she was already teetering on the edge of sanity then. She still remembered that she had contracted AIDS. She probably used her disease as a means to retaliate against the inmates." Alyssa's eyes hardened as a cruel glint flickered with
From the moment Jameson entered, his gaze was fixated on Alyssa with desire. She found herself unable to escape it, no matter how hard she tried.Disgust curdled in her stomach, and she ripped her eyes away, muttering a scathing curse under her breath.Jasper regarded Jameson with seriousness. He suppressed his anger and held Alyssa's hand tightly in his.Jameson's gaze, lingering on their intertwined fingers, darkened. A teasing smile, out of place in the somber atmosphere, stretched across his lips.Landon saw it too. His fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. He yearned for a peaceful farewell for his grandfather. If this weren't a mourning hall, he wouldn't hesitate to wipe that infuriating smirk off Jameson's face."My condolences, Mr. Landon," Victor offered, stepping forward with a hand extended. "Although considering your new position, perhaps Mr. Harper would be more fitting."Landon met Victor's gesture with a cold stare. "I don't recall inviting you to the funeral
Alyssa's breath hitched as a familiar voice echoed through the tense silence. Squeezing Jasper's hand until his knuckles turned white, her heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs."I-It's Winston!""Winston?" Jasper echoed, his surprise evident. Then, a procession of men clad in black suits strode into the mourning hall with authority. Winston, a commanding presence that turned heads, stood proudly at the forefront.But Winston wasn't alone. Accompanying him were Mandy, Lyla, Colene, Jonah, and Silas, representing the Taylor family.Rarely did the Taylors assemble in such unity, indicating the significance of Cornelius' funeral to them."Dad!" Tears welled up in Alyssa's eyes as she launched herself toward Winston, engulfing him in a fierce hug.Jasper watched the reunion, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He remained rooted in his spot, refraining from seeking favor and silently observing the scene."What's all this fuss about? I'm barely in my 70s. I'
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