Winston's gaze drifted into the distance. "His life took this turn because of you. He ended up confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his days, enduring years of solitude abroad. "Now that he has returned, he saw firsthand how you've captivated the Beckett Group, achieving remarkable success. He's watched as you've claimed what rightfully belongs to him as the eldest son of the Beckett family. "Can he truly find peace, surrender everything to you, and live a life of luxury and leisure?" "Justin has been undergoing treatment in Mosgravia all this time. We've kept in touch through emails and calls. He used to go out of his way to support me whenever I needed it. "Your words make sense, but I just can't imagine my brother holding any animosity toward me." Jasper laid out everything he knew for Winston, fully aware of the implications.Winston clicked his tongue in disapproval. "You're a divorced CEO. How can you be so naïve?"Jasper couldn't help but feel chastised, though a p
Jasper's heart raced, his lips quivering slightly as he continued to gaze at her, unable to find his voice. Who was he, for the likes of extraordinary figures such as Winston and Alyssa, to worry about?"Your brother's reappearance will elicit sympathy from the public, including your father," Alyssa said, her eyes filled with concern. "If he has any intentions of seizing your position, public opinion will be his most potent weapon. Jasper, you need to understand this. A person's words can be as lethal as any weapon..."Without a word, Jasper cupped her face and drew her into a passionate kiss. It began with a tenderness that quickly deepened, both fueled by a potent mix of desire and unspoken anxieties. Alyssa clung to him, her breath catching in her throat.When they finally broke apart, Jasper's eyes held a new tenderness. He wrapped her in a protective embrace, as if afraid to lose her."I promised to be your guardian angel," he murmured. "Why has it turned out the other way aro
Cornelius' funeral was grandly organized with the assistance of both the Becketts and Taylors.As the day came to a close, everyone from the Harper Group departed, leaving Landon alone, kneeling before his grandfather's photo for an extended period.Alyssa returned home to keep Winston company while Jasper remained with his best friend until the end."Landon, you're exhausted. You should go home and get some rest," Jasper urged, attempting to help him up, but Landon's resolve was unyielding; he couldn't even budge him."I can't rest. I need to arrange Angelina's funeral too," he responded almost mechanically.Jasper's heart ached at the sight of Landon's exhaustion.Angelina's name had been a taboo topic in the past few days, a reminder of a wound that would never heal in Landon's heart."I'll help you. You're not alone; you have me." Jasper's voice was strained and raspy. But no words could bring Angelina back."I remember Angeline telling me she wanted a simple and peaceful l
As Landon entered the living hall, his eyes reddened from the emotions swelling within him. Everything appeared unchanged, as if nothing had occurred.A gentle voice, once a source of comfort, broke the silence. "Mr. Landon, you're back.""I'm back," he choked out. His smile, though warm, faded as he realized there would be no reply to follow.With a heavy thud, Landon's knees buckled beneath him. He crumpled onto the floor, his once sturdy frame folding inward. Silent sobs wracked his body as he curled into a ball."Landon!""Mr. Landon!"Jasper and Jordan rushed to his side; concern etched on their faces. But the only response was the quiet sound of wet tears hitting the ground.Landon buried his head in his arms, his body wracked with silent cries."Landon, Jordan and I will help you gather Angelina's belongings. You don't have to force yourself to do it," Jasper said, holding Landon's trembling shoulders, his own eyes red with emotion."I-I'm fine," Landon insisted, wiping
In that moment, the room seemed to fall into a hushed stillness, with only the sound of Landon's heartbeat echoing in his ears.The pages of this diary had turned yellow; Angelina must have used it for years.With fingers wracked by tremors, Landon carefully opened the diary. Angelina's lack of formal education was evident, yet her handwriting surprised him. It was neat and firm, almost masculine, mirroring his own.A pang of bittersweet understanding shot through him. His father had taught him to write, and Angelina, ever-present by his side, had absorbed it all. More accurately, her life revolved around him, and this unconscious mimicry was a testament to that devotion.The diary wasn't a daily record but a collection of moments Angelina deemed precious. One entry read, "Went to Mr. Bill's funeral today with Mr. Landon. Now that he's gone, the burden of the family falls on Mr. Landon's shoulders. The road ahead won't be easy, but he doesn't have to face it alone. I'm here. Mr. Bi
Jasper and Landon rushed to the hospital with urgency. Upon reaching Lauren's ward, they were met by a group of medical professionals exiting her ward. "How is Lauren?" Landon's voice quavered with worry as he grabbed hold of the doctor-in-charge."Her body's weak," the doctor replied, wiping sweat from his brow with a worried grimace. "The news was a heavy blow. She went into shock earlier, but oxygen stabilized her. It's her mental state that's concerning."Landon's heart ached as he entered the ward. A heart-wrenching scream pierced the air. Javier and Rory struggled to restrain Lauren on the bed. Her frail form, adorned with medical tubes, writhed against their hold. Her eyes, bloodshot and unfocused, darted wildly as panicked shrieks escaped her lips. Her hands flailed, clawing at the air as if trying to ward off unseen demons."Ms. Lauren, calm down! Please!" Rory pleaded, his voice laced with a desperate gentleness as he gently restrained her."Lauren, don't do this!
In the nick of time, the world stopped whirling as a warm strength instantly supported his back while another hand grabbed his arm."Be careful."Justin looked up in surprise. His eyes met a clear, sparkling gaze. He felt an unfamiliar rush of emotions like a drop of water plopped into the still lake of his heart and sent ripples across it. Alyssa used all her strength to push Justin and his wheelchair onto flat ground.As her body swayed, a few strands of hair inadvertently brushed his face. Justin's gaze darkened before he smiled wanly, his brows furrowed. "It's all thanks to you just now. If not for you, I would be staying here overnight.""It was no trouble at all."Alyssa looked down and kicked away a rock beside the wheelchair. "The wheels must have gotten stuck with rocks. That's quite dangerous. Why isn't Ms. Gillis with you?""I'm returning to Mosgravia soon, so I wanted to see Lauren before I left. Initially, I was at the café next to the hospital because I wanted t
Alyssa jolted, and her gaze met Jasper's dark gaze. Her heart thumped heavily against her chest.Right now, Jasper's classy suit was stretched tightly against his muscles. Even if he didn't take off his clothes, she could visualize it."Jasper." Justin coughed, his face pale. Unexpectedly, he was the one who spoke up and tried to explain on Alyssa's behalf, as if they were hiding something from him. "Nothing happened just now. I just met Ms. Alyssa at the entrance of the hospital. I wasn't feeling well so… I asked her to push me upstairs.""Justin, did I even ask?"Jasper smiled lightly, although it turned into a slight grimace. Nevertheless, he still tried. "You're my brother, and Lyse is your sister-in-law. We're a family. She's helping you as a sister would."As he spoke, he strode to stand beside Alyssa. His gaze was gentle as he took over the wheelchair handles. "Let me do it.""Sorry for the inconvenience, Jasper." Justin smiled as well while his gaze darkened.Jasper be
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