Newton's 80th birthday celebration started out so well, only to end in a terrible bang. He wasn't in the mood to continue it anymore, nor did Winston and Alyssa intend to stay further.The Becketts escorted the father and daughter out, with Jasper quietly by Alyssa's side. Occasionally, he opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.Winston kept on side-eyeing him. If looks could kill, Jasper would have been sent to meet his Maker already.Winston couldn't believe that Jasper, whom he deemed an asshole, was the one who had married his precious Alyssa. Did he actually think he deserved her? Winston thought Jasper was useless. "Mr. Taylor!" Liana cried, running up to Winston. "I'm … really sorry about tonight. I made a grave misunderstanding. I really didn't know Alice was your daughter … I misunderstood her relationship with Mr. Jonah. I'm so sorry …"Winston didn't even look at her. "So you're saying that if Alyssa weren't my daughter, you would have continued talking trash
A contract marriage? Winston was close to fainting as he fought against the urge to slap Jasper. However, he was the most puzzled by his daughter.He thought it was outrageous enough that his brazen daughter went to serve as a war medic on the battlefield. To his dismay, she had gotten married without his knowledge in the three years she was gone. Worse, she was involved in a contract marriage with Jasper.He really wanted to know what was going on in her mind.Jasper felt his eyes growing heavy with tears. There was a suffocating burden on his chest.Now that she was on the verge of leaving him for good and sealing the unhappy chapters of their lives during Newton's birthday, Jasper demanded an answer for the separation."If I recall correctly, our first encounter happened three years ago. Why didn't you reject Grandpa's suggestion of marrying me? Why?"Alyssa squinted at him without any feeling. "Why are you dwelling on the details after the divorce? Maybe I had nothing bette
The Becketts might be one of the established elites in Solana City, but the stock price of the Beckett Group would have doubled following the news of the marriage with the Taylor Family.Alas, it was too late.…In the dark of the night, Alyssa looked out of the window with a vacant look and an empty heart. She replayed the memory of Jasper's shattered expression when he demanded to know why she had married him in the first place. Somehow, looking at the frustration and indignance on his face, she felt like she had abandoned him.She clenched her fist and shook her head hard. She reminded herself not to spare any sympathy for men, for that was how tragedies start.Jasper couldn't possibly fall in love with her now, not after she had waited for him for three years to no avail. Perhaps he had only pretended to look resentful and bitter in front of Winston to absolve himself of his cruelness in their marriage."So, why did you marry him?" Winston gritted his teeth and cracked his
After the birthday event, Newton called his family doctor to check on Lauren out of worry. He felt relieved when the doctor reported that everything was fine with her.In the corridor, two good-looking men leaned against the window sill. Jasper asked Landon for a cigarette, which he lit and took a long drag. The orange flame flickered between the willowing smoke."So, is Alice Alyssa Taylor, the unknown daughter of one of Winston Taylor's wives?" Landon felt that he was in a dream. The entire situation was rather inconceivable."Yeah." Jasper's fingers trembled when he flicked the ash."Fuck! Jasper, you hit the jackpot. How did you land this windfall?" Landon patted Jasper's shoulder as his eyes sparkled. "You turned out to be Winston Taylor's ex-son-in-law by accident. "Would you have taken off to greater heights if you didn't divorce her? With the backing of the Taylor Family, your dad and your evil stepmother would have to submit to you. You could do anything with the Beckett
Jasper never believed in coincidences. Still, when it involved Liana, he fervently wished that everything that had happened was a coincidence."Mr. Beckett!" Xavier jogged up to him, panting, and handed him a phone with both hands. "Here is the footage of Madam Sophia, Ms. Betty, and Ms. Gardner's activities from tonight that you requested! I gathered the files. Please take a look!""My guy, you're fast!" Landon changed his mind about leaving and went up to take a look.Jasper carefully poured through the footage, holding his breath."Looking at the footage, Ms. Gardner not only interacted frequently with Madam Sophia, but she also contacted Ms. Betty in private. What's more bizarre …" A gleam flashed across Xavier's eyes. "... is that Ms. Gardner did not show up in the vicinity when I checked the footage of Mr. Jonah and Ms. Alyssa entering the room.""Hah, that's interesting." Landon sneered. "If she wasn't even in the area, how did she know that Mr. Jonah and Ms. Alyssa were sh
Jasper was numb and calm, but his curt remark was damaging to Liana. She froze up and felt her cheeks burning in shame. It was as though she had been slapped a few times.Javier and Sophia were stunned by the turn of events. Only Betty had a guileful smile on her face. After the events from that night, she had seen Liana for who she was—an obnoxiously conceited bitch who had manipulated her to attack the others. Liana was unsuitable to marry into their family. Betty even hoped Jasper would cut Liana off forever instead of pausing the marriage."Jasper, are you giving me up?" Shocked and scared, Liana held to his arm as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Are you ditching me after you learned that Alice White is from the Taylor family? Did you regret your divorce?""Alice White or Alyssa Taylor, she has no bearing on my decision to put a halt to our marriage." He slowly but surely freed his arm from her grip. There was nothing but coldness in his eyes. He continued, "I've warned you n
"Jasper did not even inform us when he decided on the divorce. Of course, he wouldn't tell me his intention to call off the marriage!""Those are different things!" Sophia's voice was shrill, unlike her usual comforting tone. "Jasper does not love Alyssa Taylor at all. Unlike Alyssa, Lia is Jasper's childhood sweetheart. They have a deep bond!""Right. That's beyond me too. If they share a deep bond, what else did Liana want from him? Why couldn't she behave instead of stirring trouble with Ms. Alyssa? "She has humiliated our family with the infidelity drama in front of Dad. I will not help her this time, and I can't guarantee whether the marriage will happen!"His chest tightened when he recalled Newton's taunt. "I wouldn't have advised Jasper to seek divorce if I had known better. Liana is not the right match for our family; worse, she's a troublemaker. It's indeed hard to get along with those from different backgrounds!"Sophia's shoulders slumped when she realized that Javier
Liana was baffled by Sophia's slap."I warned you not to drag Betty into any plan of yours, or I won't help you out!""Aunt Sophia, I was wrong! It was a careless mistake! I will not do it again." Despite the boiling hatred in her, Liana had to beg for forgiveness repeatedly.Sophia looked at the lowly woman with disdain. She wouldn't have helped a stubborn and manipulative woman like Liana to marry Jasper if only there were a better candidate from the Kirkman Family.Still, she refused to give up on Liana after many years of grooming her niece. Disgusted by the night's events, she felt like she had swallowed a fly. Still, she had to endure the setback."Alice White is the daughter of the distinguished Taylor family. You cannot lay a finger on her. Winston Taylor is known for doting on his children. Your top priority is to win Jasper's heart and marry him according to the plan!" Sophia looked terrifying with her taut lips and the bright red lipstick."But he makes it clear that h
Amber glared at Remy through her bloodshot eyes, thrusting her gleaming blade toward his chest. In her early days of being Jameson's follower, the first lesson drilled into her was how to kill quickly and efficiently. Refinement wasn't necessary—only results mattered. Yet, despite mastering the techniques, she had never put them into practice. Deep down, Amber feared the sight of blood and loathed the idea of taking a life.And now, of all people, it was Remy forcing her to cross that line.The blade's tip hovered mere inches from Remy's heart when hesitation gripped her. Axel's voice echoed in her mind, raw with emotion. "Amber, I keep feeling that Remy is my fifth brother, Damien. We miss him… We want him to come home!"Her pupils dilated. The blade wavered, its deadly intent dissipating.That single moment of doubt was all Remy needed. With a calm, calculated motion, he seized her wrist and twisted it sharply.Amber gasped in pain, her grip faltering as the blade clattered
The password to Jameson's room was Alyssa's birthday. Jameson had always believed himself to be a devoted man, taking pride in that notion. Yet, in Amber's eyes, his devotion was nothing more than a pathetic joke—a sentiment she couldn't help but detest.Taking a steadying breath, Amber began rummaging through the drawers and shelves with swift precision.Years of observation had taught her that Jameson had hidden several secret compartments in this room, places meant to conceal vital information. Unless Jameson or Carl disclosed their existence, even the police might not have uncovered them.After what felt like an eternity, sweat beading on her forehead, Amber discovered a hidden compartment beneath a floor sculpture.As she pried the brick loose, her breath hitched. Inside the compartment lay a waterproof plastic bag containing a document and a USB drive.Amber retrieved the document. Her heart raced as she realized its contents—a research report from Mosgravia's RC Biotech
Ever since getting together with Axel, Amber had lived each day in bliss. Yet, when Winston assured her that he truly accepted her and approved of her marriage to Axel, that bliss reached its peak. For so long, Amber had struggled with feelings of inferiority, never truly believing she deserved Axel's love. Deep down, she had resolved to step away if Winston disapproved or insisted Axel marry a woman from a reputable family—a match more fitting of his status.She wouldn't have hesitated to leave if it meant sparing Winston and Axel any conflict. Amber loved Axel wholeheartedly and was willing to sacrifice everything for him.But instead of rejection, she found warmth. The Taylor family embraced her as one of their own, showing her kindness and understanding rather than disdain for her past.She could never repay such compassion. "Winston… Thank you. Thank you…" Amber's tear-filled eyes glistened, their brightness undimmed despite all the darkness she had endured. Winston s
Amber stifled a laugh and teased, "Stop talking, Mr. Whitaker. You're going to sound like a broken record if you keep going." …After breakfast and a quick packing session, Axel departed from Heightsnew Villa. Amber spent her day helping the Taylors with various tasks. She assisted Mandy in organizing documents for Lovelace Group's projects, helped Lyla with cooking, and even joined Colene in feeding her horse. With Tatiana's due date approaching, Amber also pitched in for her shower preparations.Amber had always been a diligent person, but today, she seemed particularly intent on keeping herself busy. She was counting down the hours until nightfall. After dinner, the Taylors sat in the living room and chatted casually as they always did. The warm, familial atmosphere filled the space, and Amber joined in, her perceptive nature making her a seamless part of the group.When everyone retired to their rooms, Amber rose to help the helpers clear the table. "Amber." Startled
Axel and Amber had only spent half a month together before the former was called back to report for work. The night before his departure, they spent hours lost in each other, their passion unrelenting. Again and again, they exchanged kisses, their love pouring forth in an endless tide."Amber, three months… Just give me three more months." When their fervor finally waned, Axel held Amber close in his arms. They rested against the headboard, leaning into one another, too exhausted to move yet unwilling to let sleep claim them."Once I finish all the missions I've taken on, I'll hand in my resignation. After that, I'll spend all my time with you," Axel murmured, his voice steady with resolve. "We'll go wherever you want. If you want fun, I'll have fun with you. If you want chaos, I'll spend my life going crazy with you."Axel wasn't one for flowery words. He simply spoke from the heart. Right now, his heart only wanted Amber—forever.Amber nestled closer, her soft smile masking t
"Sir." Sheryl immediately stood and greeted Justin respectfully as he entered the room. "What are you doing here?" Justin's cold gaze swept over her as he strolled leisurely to the couch and sat down.Sheryl quickly explained, "I received a parcel for you from the administrative secretary half an hour ago. I thought it might be something important, something you wouldn't want too many people to handle. So, I waited for you to return and open it personally.""A parcel?" Justin frowned. Why would anyone send him a parcel to Beckett Group, of all places? How strange. Sheryl presented the parcel to him with both hands. He took it from her and then opened it right before her. After removing three layers of wrapping, each from outside and inside the box, the parcel turned out to contain only a plain white envelope. His expression darkened. It felt like someone was toying with him.Then, he looked down and opened the envelope, which contained a stack of photographs. Pinching a co
"Don't be so pessimistic, Jonah," Alyssa said. Perhaps having just seen Jasper and going through that heart-stopping moment made Alyssa emotional. Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, "If you truly love someone, you don't need to possess him to find happiness. Isn't it enough to know he's alive, well, and living freely somewhere in this world?""You're right, Lyse." Sorrow filled Jonah's voice as he smiled bitterly. "Julien has already lost and sacrificed too much for my sake. I don't deserve to have such a good man. He'll only find true happiness by leaving me."…After Justin took over as president of Beckett Group, his first move was to wrest control of the A5 Project bid from Jasper's hands.Though Jasper had failed as the leader of Beckett Group, as the eldest son, it was only natural for Justin to inherit the position of power. Justin was aware of lingering opposition within the corporation. Some doubted whether he possessed the decisiveness and singular capabili
Sebastian understood what Alyssa wanted. There wasn't substantial proof to prove that Jasper had abused drugs in the first place. The substance found in his blood was simply supporting evidence. As long as they found the right opportunity to reveal that, it wouldn't completely exonerate him, but it could at least divert public suspicion."Okay, okay… I'll do that. I'll do everything you say!" Sebastian promised. …After emerging from the Bender residence, Landon took Zayne away to keep him under close watch and ensure Sebastian wouldn't retract his statement. Landon planned to release him only after Sebastian fulfilled Jasper and Alyssa's request."Landon, it's really nice to see you. How's Lauren doing lately?" Afraid of looking at Jasper, Alyssa had no choice but to speak with Landon."She's doing great." A tender look came across Landon's eyes at the mention of Lauren. Landon blushed and continued, "We're now trying for a baby." "Really? That's wonderful!" Alyssa was
While Alyssa spoke, Jasper remained expressionless next to her. Even so, he still couldn't help but peer at her from the corner of his eye. Others might feel that she was being too assertive and aggressive with that fierce gaze in her eyes, but for Jasper, that evoked an inexplicable feeling within him. To him, she looked even more attractive than she normally was. It was as if she gave off a captivating glow. Sebastian slumped to his knees again. Alyssa's words struck him like a ton of bricks. Still, he had already chosen the wrong side—Sheryl's side. What could he do now? He had no choice but to see it through to the end.After all, he had seen the news two days ago. Jasper was no longer the president of Beckett Group. He held no authority anymore. Aligning with Justin had seemed like the right decision.If he betrayed Justin and switched sides, he would surely be doomed."Mr. Jasper... Ms. Alyssa," Sebastian stammered, desperation etched into his voice. "What's the point of