It was a difficult night for Jasper, whose soul was tormented the moment he saw Alyssa with Justin. When he was chatting with Justin, he forced a smile and made remarks that went against his true feelings.Only God knew how much he wanted to snatch Alyssa and hide her far away from Justin. He didn't want Justin to take another look at the woman who belonged to him and only to him."Stop it… Stop thinking about it…" Alyssa sounded tearful as she managed to let out fragments of words. After years of dating, this was the first time he had forced himself on her in such a ruthless manner that drove her to tears."Lyse, you're mine. Never look at him again. You shall only have eyes for me!" he growled as they inched toward climax.After that, he carried the limp Alyssa to the bedroom. He placed her in the bed and attempted to make love to her again, but she wept and gently slapped him on the cheek. "I hate you! That's enough. You're bullying me. You're being super annoying tonight, you k
Axel placed his hand in his pockets in a callous manner. Cocking his head, he asked, "Is Lyse here?"Rosie examined him. "Are you a friend of Madam's?""No."A realization set in. Rosie widened her eyes and stared at him vigilantly, "You're not an admirer, are you? Are you Mr. Beckett's love rival?"Rosie was acquainted with most of Alyssa's visitors to the villa, especially men. As Axel was a stranger to her, she did not trust him at all."Pfft." Smirking, he arched a brow playfully. "If I were her admirer, Jasper wouldn't have stood a chance! He would've been out of the game ages ago!"What a wild, arrogant man!Rosie was about to snap at Axel when she heard Jasper's worried tone. "Mrs. Rosie, do we have aspirin or ibuprofen at home?"At the same time, his eyes lit up when he found Axel at the door. "Axel, my dearest brother-in-law! It's you!""Oh, you sweet talker." Grinning, Axel marched in boldly. Rosie's jaw fell when she realized Axel was one of Alyssa's brothers. She c
Jasper grappled with heartache. The contrast between his tall figure and his helpless demeanor made him the more pitiful.Axel shot up from the bed and grabbed Jasper's collar. Fixing a piercing gaze on Jasper, he bellowed, "What have you done to my sister? Did you force her into BDSM?""No…""Why is she bruised all over? Fuck! You should've been the sub even in BDSM!" Axel's grip inadvertently tore one of Jasper's buttons loose. Their faces were mere inches apart.Axel continued, "We raised Lyse like she was our daughter. She is precious to us. Nothing good has happened to her ever since she dated you. How dare you mistreat her in such a way?"You may appear a gentleman on the surface, but your behavior in the bedroom is nothing short of savage. You should consider her feelings in the bedroom! How could you hurt her to satisfy your needs?"Stay there. I'm getting that housekeeper of yours to check the injuries on Lyse's body, and I'll double that on yours."Axel was visibly fur
Axel's pupils dilated from the shock, but he gathered himself in no time due to his professional training. The same cannot be said for Xavier, who was freaked out and screamed, "Oh, my God!"With steeled eyes, Jasper hugged Alyssa tightly and turned her face into his chest. "Lyse, don't look at it."He was concerned that the scene would only spook her out and exacerbate her fever symptoms. Little did he know that Lyse was undaunted after witnessing much worse horrors on the battlefield years ago.Far from feeling scared, she examined the scene with curiosity. At the same time, Axel grew excited at the situation. He opened the car door with a twinkle in his eye. "Damn it! Are people getting so professional now? Did he put on makeup? That was pretty frightening. I'll go check it out. If he's fine, I'll make sure he isn't!"Before Axel left the car, the victim got out of the car and ran away while dancing like a madman. Despite not being in the bustling downtown, the man's odd behavio
"Lyse is like Dr. House. She gets excited at the sight of corpses," Axel couldn't help but tease his sister."Did that guy drop dead just like that? By hitting his head against the divider?" Xavier grappled with the lingering fear when he recalled the horrifying expression on that man.Alyssa, having spent a mere few minutes with the corpse, suspected there was more to the man's death. She analyzed, "That might not be the case. Before he fainted, he exhibited symptoms of a seizure. "Besides, the muscles across his body contracted rhythmically while he lost consciousness. Epilepsy is a plausible cause of death, but we'll need to wait for the post-mortem report.""Epilepsy? People might think he overdosed." Axel pushed his tongue against his cheek, still indulging in the scene out of a horror movie just now. "I had experience dealing with some drug addicts when I was abroad. They looked exactly like the man just now when they were high or experienced withdrawal symptoms—zombie-like.
Jasper's family name and his good looks added to the pressure of the doctor who received him. The doctor asked cautiously, "Um… Mr. Beckett, what brings you here?"His shaky tone betrayed his nervousness, but he immediately assured Jasper with confidence, "Don't worry, Mr. Beckett. Our hospital prides itself on tight patient confidentiality. I will not say a word about your visit to me today."Jasper wasn't too concerned about the gossip surrounding his visit to the men's health specialist. After all, his loyalty and love for Alyssa was a widely-known fact.Although the speculations might sting his ego, it did not bother him very much. Given how subservient he acted around Alyssa, he could handle the rumors of his alleged "erectile dysfunction" if it happened."Doctor, I have a question." A look of trouble crept up his face after a pause. "Can a vasectomy potentially lower one's libido?""The primary purpose of a vasectomy is to prevent sperm from being ejaculated for fertilizatio
"Why are you seeing a men's health specialist? Something wrong down there?" Axel walked up to Jasper, a playful gaze traveling from Jasper's eyes to his crotch. "I've seen that thing of yours. You had an erection even when you were unconscious. It certainly doesn't seem useless."Jasper's expression froze in awkwardness. Was he supposed to thank Axel for that remark?Right then, a nurse approached Jasper and handed him a form. "Mr. Beckett, please keep this form safe. Do come to the hospital at 9:00 am tomorrow for the surgery."Jasper accepted the form with a nod. After the nurse left, Axel grabbed the form from Jasper. Upon taking a better look, he screamed, "Are you getting a vasectomy?"Jasper felt flustered at Axel's loud disclosure of his medical information in public. Axel, realizing he had been too loud, stopped himself and dragged Jasper to a quiet corner for a talk. He questioned, "Dude, what's going on?""You're aware of Lyse's condition. If I get a vasectomy, she won't
Axel slept in the guest bedroom that night while Alyssa and Jasper cuddled in their bed.Jasper let Alyssa rest her head on his arm while occasionally kissing her on her forehead, which was no longer hot to touch. Fortunately, her fever seemed to have reduced in intensity.Languid and flushed, she purred as she nestled comfortably in his arms. Her vulnerable state and misty eyes stirred a desire within him to conquer her, but he firmly refused to act upon it. The deeper his love, the more he needed to exert self-control."Did Axel… tell you any nonsense?" Alyssa couldn't help but worry, knowing that Axel took after Winston's foul mouth.He shook his head and tucked her in. "Rest early and get well soon. We need to get up early the day after.""Right. We need to attend Angelina's funeral." A pang of sorrow pierced through her. Her tears started to well. "The recent events are tragic. I really hope nothing of that sort repeats. I want happiness for everyone.""Of course, Lyse. We'l
Jonah's gaze burned with a mix of longing, sorrow, and something deeply affectionate. The world swam back into focus as Julien looked at Jonah. Without preamble, he asked, "Are you new? How much do you charge per night?"Light-headed and grinning, Julien reached out a hand, his fingers brushing softly against Jonah's cheek. "You're pretty good-looking," he said, his voice slurred. Then his expression shifted. "Why do you… look so much like someone I hate with every fiber of my being?"Jonah's heart clenched. Even so, he slid his arms around Julien's waist. Trembling, he pulled Julien into his arms. "I'm new here. Could you help me meet my target tonight, Mr. Lovelace?"Julien's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Jonah. Jonah's eyes teared up as he held Julien's waist tightly. "I promise you won't be disappointed," he said, his voice deep. Watching from the shadows below the stage, Evan nearly gagged at Jonah's sultry tone. Was this really the Judas he knew? The man sounded downri
The bar was alive with striking lights and thundering music, and the air was thick with the scent of tobacco and alcohol. The atmosphere was one of moral decay—corrupt, degrading, and vile. "Where's Julien?" Jonah's voice cut through the noise, his tone icy and sharp. When Jonah stepped inside, the eyes of several men turned toward him, their gazes filled with illicit intent."Why, hello there. Are you here alone? Are you feeling lonely?" A sexy man sauntered over, draping himself over Jonah's shoulders. He let his hands linger with a playful squeeze. "If you're bored, I'd be happy to keep you company." Jonah's expression darkened. His hands trembled, veins bulging with barely contained rage. Suddenly, Evan burst through the crowd, his face twisting in alarm at the sight of Jonah surrounded by a swarm of predatory men. Evan yelled, "Don't touch him!" A heavy thump reverberated through the room. Gasps erupted as people scrambled back.The man who had draped himself over
Rafe stated, "But Beckett Group is in the middle of a storm right now. If I insisted on giving your corporation the project, my superiors would investigate me. I wouldn't be able to escape unscathed!""If you're investigated, I'll make sure you can still live a life of luxury—even if you lose your job." Justin's tone darkened. "But if you turn against me, you won't just suffer a few losses. You'll lose everything."Under the dim moonlight, Justin fiddled with his antique tea cup, his gaze narrowing. "You've worked so hard to get to where you are. Are you prepared to lose it all?"After ending the call, Justin turned to Remy, who stood quietly at the side. "Sheryl is still being detained. She can't be bailed out for another two days. I need someone to watch over the research lab. You'll handle that."Remy was taken aback. "I failed my last mission. Aren't you going to punish me?"Justin's smile was cold and insincere. "It wasn't your fault. You were ambushed. If not for that, I tru
Remy pursed his lips, bending down to pick up the fallen poker card. It was the King of Spades—an entry pass to Kings' Club. "My attacker was…" Remy's pupils constricted as he tightened his grip on the card. "It can only be that dear uncle of mine, always claiming to see me as his own son." Justin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "He's trying to get rid of my right-hand man, taking advantage of my internal feud with Jasper. Weakening me is just his first step toward gaining control over me."He's been a fugitive ever since his successful prison break, never returning to Cyrris after receiving his life sentence. His power base remains in Kontina. "I'm the last surviving Dutton. The Dutton Group, as a cover, has declared bankruptcy and severed all ties with the country. "My dear uncle has taken a huge risk just to target me. He sent his men to attack you in Solana City. What a delightful surprise. It seems he truly doesn't trust me, his only remaining family."Remy lowere
The hospital ward grew heavy with silence. Mandy and Neil stared at Alyssa, stunned beyond words. "M-Ms. Alyssa, you knew that man was Mr. Damien?" Neil asked, disbelief etched into his voice. "Yes." Alyssa's reply was quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "We found out when Cyrus took Damien's cigarette butt for a paternity test."Mandy approached Alyssa, her shoulders trembling slightly. "So, you and Cyrus knew… and you both kept it from me?" Mandy said, her voice catching in her throat, tears welling up. Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Mandy, I'm sorry. It was my decision. Cyrus had nothing to do with it."Mandy's tears fell freely now, her grief spilling out in raw sobs. "Do you know what it's been like for me all these years, thinking Damien was gone? Winston, Miley, Lyla, and Colene kept telling me to move on. I tried to accept that he was dead, that we'd never find his body. But I never did."Her vo
The hospital ward was bathed in a dim, yellow glow from the bedside lamp. The silence was thick, yet the room held a strange warmth—an unfamiliar comfort that felt oddly familiar to Remy.Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to sit up. His eyes fell on Mandy, who was asleep beside his bed. Her hair was a mess, and her swollen eyes suggested she'd been crying. She was sound asleep. Remy stiffened. His breath quickened as he stared at her fragile figure. Slowly, he leaned forward, his fingers lifting slightly, tempted to reach out.Just as his hand hovered close, Mandy's lashes fluttered. In her sleep, she murmured, "Damien… Damien… I miss you so much…" Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unbidden.A pang tugged at Remy's heart. Without thinking, he brushed away her tears with his calloused fingers. The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through him, sharp and electrifying. Pain throbbed at his temples, but beneath it was a warmth he didn't want to let g
Justin's casual question hit Javier like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through him, freezing his expression. His voice trembled with fear as he barked, "What nonsense is that? Are you accusing me of causing Chester's death? I'm your father—how could you think I'd do such a thing?""It's not an accusation. Just the facts," Justin replied coolly, crossing his legs and savoring his tea with unsettling calm. "And I'm not condemning you. In fact, I understand why you did it. I'm facing the same dilemma now."Javier's breathing grew ragged. He had watched Justin grow from a child into the man before him—now a predator, circling with quiet menace."You were meant to be the heir as the eldest son," Justin continued, his voice smooth as silk. "But Grandpa favored Uncle Chester, handing him major projects, grooming him in plain sight. "Uncle Chester's reputation soon eclipsed yours. He was a natural leader, adept at business, with one fatal flaw—he was kind. Too kind. Unlike you."Justin
Nonetheless, night had fallen by the time Justin arrived at Seaview Manor. On his way there, he worked on two things. First, he secured the top legal team to get Sheryl out on bail as quickly as possible. Second, he tried reaching Remy—unsuccessfully. He had never lost contact with Remy before. Justin's face was as dark as the night itself. The moment he stepped inside Seaview Manor, Rory approached with a solemn expression. He gave a slight bow before speaking. "Mr. Justin, what took you so long? Mr. Javier has been waiting.""I was occupied," Justin replied coolly. Then, as if it were an ordinary evening, he allowed a faint smile. "Where's Jasper? Is he back here yet?" A conflicted look came across Rory's face. "Things between you and Mr. Jasper have soured. I doubt he'll want to see you anytime soon—or show up here.""Is that so? How disappointing."Justin's smile didn't reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on Rory, sharp and bottomless. "So, he'd rather believe what he se
Jonah scoured every corner of the hotel, desperation clawing at his chest, but Julien was nowhere to be found. "Jonah!" Alyssa called out, breathless as she caught up to him. She grabbed his arm. "Calm down! I'll help you search for Jul!""I can't find him. He's gone," Jonah murmured, sinking to the floor. His tears mixed with sweat, creating dark patches on the ground. "Lyse… I fear… if I can't find Julien this time, I'll lose him forever."The agonizing thought of losing the love of his life pierced him. "No, you won't!" Alyssa gripped his arm tighter, her voice trembling with conviction. "If Jul had given up on you, he wouldn't have come here today. The fact that he showed up means he still cares."Jonah's eyes were bloodshot, filled with a pain too deep to hide. He shook his head slowly. "Julien came back for Jasper. He did it because he's loyal… because he's a good friend. Not because of me.""He does care!" Alyssa insisted. "If he didn't, he would've faced you without fli