Axel clutched Amber's hands as they fled down the luxurious corridor with dangers lurking at every corner. Running with a woman in tow did not affect his efficacy at all. He gunned down each man who ran after them with precision.A man suddenly jumped them from the left before Axel had the time to turn around. Amber, in his defense, aimed her hairpin at the man's throat and slit it. Blood splattered around, tainting her dress.Axel stared squarely at her, his heart hammering against his ribs. The affection in his gaze intensified."Phew. That was close." She wiped away the sweat on her cheek, only to paint it with blood. She looked exceptionally gorgeous despite the mess.The killers skulked and scrambled across the villa, hunting relentlessly for Axel and Amber. Having no way of escaping, Amber hid in a warehouse filled with miscellaneous items that she stumbled upon. They locked the door behind them and fortified it with some racks."Axel, I'm afraid I can't leave with you." Amb
Amber felt like she was struck by lightning. Each breath she took weighed heavily on her chest as she gazed out the window. The flames outside reflected in her eyes.She knew it was only a matter of time before Jameson disposed of her. After all, he had already harbored suspicion toward her. Yet, she refused to let that beast use her against Axel, the man she loved."Amber, will you be scared if I invite you to jump down with me from here?" Axel grabbed her firmly on the waist with a smile.Staring into his eyes with a look of determination, she answered, "I'm not scared.""Tsk. Can't you make me feel like a man, just once?" He playfully glared at her and pinched her on the waist. "You could at least pretend to huddle in my arms and tremble like the typical damsel in distress.""I'm scared, to be honest." She gazed at him longingly. "But I'm fearless when I'm with you."Axel's heart of steel melted from her sweet words. Giving her another kiss, he urged, "Let's go!"Next, he wra
In the deep of the night, Alyssa was soundly asleep by Jasper's side while he pored through the financial reports and project proposals.All of a sudden, he heard a knock on the door, followed by Rosie's worried voice. "Mr. Beckett, Madam Alyssa, are you asleep?"Jasper tiptoed to answer the door to avoid waking up Alyssa. "Mrs. Rosie, it's late. Why aren't you sleeping yet?""Mr. Beckett, Mr. Axel is here!""Mr. Axel? Lyse's brother?" He was taken aback."Yes! He looks quite upset. He's in the living room. Please check on him!" Mrs. Rosie reported.At that time, Alyssa rubbed her eyes groggily and shuffled up to Jasper in her fuzzy slippers. "Jasper, did you just say that Axel was here?""Sorry for waking you up." He gently held her by the waist with a tender look.She leaned against him, their bodies separated only through a layer of silk fabric. "I'm fine, but I'm worried about Axel. He won't show up late at night for no good reason. Jasper, let's meet with him now."…Jas
Alyssa and Jasper found themselves speechless at Axel's newfound feelings. They had always perceived Axel as a carefree player who never knew how to love, a man who cherished his freedom more than anything else.The truth came as a shock to the couple, especially to Alyssa, who knew Axel better than anyone else.When she first requested Axel to get closer to Amber, he grinned evilly and promised to carry out the mission flawlessly. He might lose an organ in the process, but never his heart.He had completed his mission. Though Alyssa had no idea if he had sacrificed his organs at any point, one thing was for sure—he gave his heart to Amber."Are you being serious, Axel?" she asked him for confirmation, gaping at him.Axel returned her gaze with seriousness. "Lyse, I never understood your obsession with Jasper, but I think I know now."He did not address her question, but his reply was more touching than a mere confirmation.Jasper, standing behind them, closed his eyes bitterly.
"Lyse doesn't know you're meeting me, right?" Axel lowered his voice with ragged breathing."She's asleep." Jasper glanced at him deeply. Frowning, he questioned, "Axel, you look unwell. Are you feeling sick? I'll get my grandpa's physician to check on you."Axel ushered Jasper into his room and shut the door. Letting out a sigh, he walked to the couch, where he gritted his teeth and took off his torn black shirt under the dim light.Jasper's pupils dilated in shock. He gasped at the horrific wounds across Axel's muscular body, some with scabs and some still bleeding. What shocked Jasper was the palm-sized burnt injury on Axel's back. Axel's honeyed skin turned a shade of red. Bloodied fluids oozed out of the burst blister."How did it get this bad?" Jasper's heart nearly stopped. He hurried over and helped Axel to take a seat."Jameson Schmidt sent assassins after me and Amber. Later, they set a fire around the villa to burn us alive." Axel clenched his jaw when he recalled the
Amber followed Carl to the venue with a stoic demeanor, even though she was drenched in a cold sweat and dragged her feet.She recalled the pot of roses thrown out by Jameson, and she went through all possible worst-case scenarios.Jameson had always cherished the red roses. His sudden decision to throw them out and his act of summoning her suggested that he had found out about the tapping device.When she snapped back to reality, she shut her eyes and inhaled deeply. When she opened her eyes again, they shone with a determined look as if she was ready to face her execution.Death was inevitable anyway. Having mentally braced herself for the worst, she found herself unshaken by fear.…Amber was led to the ghoulish basement, where countless people lost their lives in executions.A few guards stood in the corners of the basement. Clad in an impeccable grey suit, Jameson lounged on the red velvet couch in the middle of the space. Legs folded, he enjoyed a glass of red wine.His r
Wesley was severely injured, his life hanging by a thread.Amber gritted her teeth. A torrent of rage flooded her heart, threatening to spill over. Jameson held her waist so tightly that she was unable to move. Even if she could move, how on earth was she supposed to get there?"I can't believe I trusted and nurtured you. Yet, you chose to betray Mr. Schmidt! You good-for-nothing traitor!"Carl, already violent, was incensed. His outrage burned hotter than ever. He yearned to torture Wesley relentlessly, a display of his unwavering loyalty. "Do you have any idea what you've done by selling us out?" "What… if… I did?" Wesley rasped weakly, slumped sideways. "It... didn't... change... my decision..."Wesley's words piqued James' interest. He raised an eyebrow, taking a deliberate sip of wine. Amber's lips trembled as she stared at Wesley, who was on the brink of death. She counted down in her heart, barely breathing!"Why did you betray Mr. Schmidt? Speak!" Carl glared at him
Amber heard Jameson clearly but felt torn between her mind and body. She couldn't utter a response."Go. Now," Jameson urged, his gaze turning icy.A shiver wracked Amber as she rose, her dress clinging uncomfortably to her cold sweat. She was alive, but she felt as if she had died over and over again.She walked toward Wesley; a few steps felt like a lifetime.Wesley's hands were bound, so he used his head to prop himself up. He swayed as he kneeled before her.He had known he would die the moment he was captured. However, he wasn’t resigned to a meaningless death; he wanted to die with dignity.Carl approached and took Amber's cold hand, placing a gun in it and forcing her fingers to grip the handle.Despite the blood covering his face, Wesley offered her a wan smile, a gesture meant to comfort Amber.Tears welled in Amber's eyes as she squeezed them shut. The dank basement was a slaughterhouse. She opened her eyes again. Wesley's left eye was swollen and bloodshot; he co
"How about now? Is Ms. Altman at home?" Alyssa asked urgently."She isn't," Clark replied. "She drove out the back gate alone around 11:00 pm. Our security personnel stopped her then, but she said she was just going out for some fresh air because she had trouble sleeping. She promised she wouldn't be long, but it's strange—she hasn't returned even now."Alyssa's ears began to ring, her heart sinking like a stone.When she ended the call, her nightgown clung to her skin, drenched in cold sweat. Her trembling hand gripped the phone tightly.She thought of calling Jonah, but he was still searching for Julien in Mosgravia. He wouldn't be able to return in time. Silas wasn't home tonight; he was likely with Rose. Besides, he was more of an academic than a fighter—not someone who could help in a crisis. Getting him out of bed in the middle of the night couldn't possibly solve any of their problems. Axel had returned to his organization, leaving Cyrus as the only one accessible who mi
Amber's eyes reddened as she darted toward the trapdoor in The Millennium, tears streaming down her face.Remy had let her go. He actually spared her! Didn't this prove that he was Damien? That his true nature lingered, even if his memories of the past had been lost?Hope and excitement bubbled within her as she ran. She had to reach Alyssa immediately and share this evidence—this incredible news!Emerging from the trapdoor, Amber navigated the tangled paths among the weeds on the mountain behind The Millennium.Suddenly, she froze. Her breath hitched. Beams of white light shone from all directions, focusing on her. The cold, unyielding spotlights told her everything—she was surrounded, the target of an ambush. Amber's heart pounded in her chest. Cold sweat slicked her palms as her fingers clenched tightly around her dagger. The veins on the back of her hand throbbed with adrenaline.Six assassins in black emerged from the shadows, their flashlights cutting through the gl
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