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
The next day, Julien arrived alone at Alyssa and Jasper's villa."Jul, where's Jonah?"Alyssa and Julien sat in the living room while Jasper, ever the considerate host, brought out a platter of cut fruits for their guest. "Jonah is at home taking care of Dad and managing some household errands. We're leaving for Mosgravia in two days."A sweet sentiment welled up in Julien's eyes as he addressed Winston as "Dad" so naturally.Alyssa looked at him, feeling uneasy. She wondered if Jonah had destroyed the photos of his ex. "Lyse, I'm here because the medication test results are out," Julien announced, his voice firm as he handed them the document. Alyssa tore open the brown envelope while Jasper quickly sat beside her. "The breakdown seems complex," Alyssa said. She was a surgeon, so she knew very little about pharmaceuticals. Jasper, however, perused the document with ease. "Is this considered medication, not a drug?""It is a type of medication. I've checked the contents.
They hadn't finished their conversation about the medication when another problem emerged.Xavier drove Jasper's Rolls-Royce as they sped to the police station, a heavy atmosphere settling in the car. Cyrus was waiting at the police station, his expression intense. "Everything was fine. How did Uncle Nathan end up involved in a murder?" Alyssa asked eagerly. "We received a report last night that a male body was found in an obscure alley on South Harmony Street in the West City District. He was severely beaten, with many signs of lacerations and heavy impact. "The victim had a Northern Cardinal badge on his chest. After confirming his identity, it turned out he was a member of The Ivory Gang," Cyrus explained calmly. Cyrus continued, "The alley is near a high-end membership club. It's usually empty during the day, and guests drive directly into the basement car park at night. No one walks in that alley. "It was an old lady who was collecting recyclables that found the body
"I don't think this is something a street thug would do," Jasper knowingly said as he caressed Alyssa's neck."Cyrus, I think we should investigate the crime scene. Any clues could exonerate Uncle Nathan!" Alyssa's phone buzzed the moment she finished speaking. It was Colene."Colene.""Lyse, Nathan would never kill anyone! Someone must have framed him!" Colene's voice trembled with anxiety. "Colene, don't panic. We'll get to the bottom of this." Alyssa's heart tightened, but she continued to comfort her gently.Colene took a deep breath, her voice hoarse from distress. "Nothing can happen to Nathan. Otherwise, the den of thieves he has been holding off would rebel. The Ivory Gang will fall apart if he's gone!"Alyssa understood the gravity of the matter. The gang members were not interested in business politics; they would come with guns blazing if provoked.The call was on speaker, so Jasper heard everything Colene said. His gaze was fierce as he gently reassured her, "Fear n
Jameson adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, a sinister smirk playing on his lips as he heard Nicholas' confirmation. "Did you leave any traces?""As long as a crime is committed, there will always be traces. However, as long as there are no witnesses, there are no traces." Nicholas smiled gently. "Do you not trust me, Mr. Schimdt? I'm a professional."A crime committed by a seasoned criminal was terrifying. Even more so when the perpetrator was a veteran policeman with years of experience and professionalism in managing cases."Thank you for your hard work." Jameson had temporarily forgotten the grievance his wound had brought him. He smiled deeply. "You're so reliable, Chief Novak. Once I succeed, I assure you, you'll be handsomely rewarded.""You're too kind. I'm willing to do anything as long as it guarantees the success of the new drug's development." Nicholas sounded sincere."Of course. Believe me, there's nothing I can't achieve."After the call ended, Jameson stared at the
"Ms. Alyssa, I've got the information you requested," Sean said, casting a quick glance at the attorney. The attorney understood and stood up instantly. "Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa, since Mr. Marc appointed me, I will do my absolute best for Mr. Nathan's case. I'll have to take my leave now; my apologies."Sean sent off the attorney while Alyssa and Jasper quickly flipped through the documents.Alyssa said, "This is the information that I asked Sean to investigate and gather on Nicholas."Jasper arched his eyebrows in surprise. "Lyse, we're thinking the same thing. I was thinking after investigating The Ivory Gang, I'd continue the investigation on this Novak guy. You're so smart."After he finished, he couldn't help but peck her lips. It wasn't enough for him, so he kissed her again."Hah! How could I follow in your footsteps if I weren't smart enough?"Alyssa pouted with some arrogance, then nuzzled against Jasper's cheek. "This is a difficult battle, so I can't let you handle e
"Mr. Lexington," the doctor greeted respectfully, lowering his head slightly. Everyone at the base knew who Sheryl and Remy were. They were the ones in charge, the decision-makers. So, everyone obeyed their orders without question. To the staff unaware of the facility's true purpose, Sheryl and Remy stood at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. Unbeknownst to them, someone more powerful lurked in the shadows."How has she been these past few days?" Remy asked, his expression unreadable."She's had some adverse reactions, but there are no signs of organ failure yet. Honestly, I'm surprised. She looks frail, but her body is incredibly resilient—stronger than some men, even."The doctor scoffed. "But I'm not sure if she'll make it past her fourth injection today. Last month, four test subjects didn't survive beyond that point. Their bodies have already been sent to the incinerator." Remy's jaw tensed. His voice was husky as he said, "As I've instructed, this woman must be kept alive.
Xavier seethed as he took in the insincere smile on Justin's face. Deep down, he was cursing him with every profanity imaginable. "Whatever makes you happy."Ignoring Justin's dark gaze, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead as he strode past him.Out of nowhere, Justin chuckled and asked, "Did you really think you had people on your side during the board meeting?"Jasper halted, his eyes narrowing. "Grandpa tried his best to shield you, but his health is failing by the day. How much longer do you think an old man can protect you?"Lowering his gaze, Justin idly adjusted the ruby cufflinks on his sleeves. His voice was casual yet cutting. "And Lyse—after how ruthlessly you discarded her, do you still believe she'll stand by you no matter what? That she'll fight alongside you like before?"The intense midday sun accentuated the sharp, aloof, and pallid features of Jasper's face as he stood, unyielding, in its glare. His pulse quickened. Finally, he answered, his voice a low rasp. "R
As the board meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.News of Justin securing his position as president and Alyssa joining the board quickly spread through Beckett Group.After the meeting, Alyssa escorted Newton back to Crescent Bay while Jasper remained at the corporation to handle some matters.With Xavier accompanying him, Jasper strode toward the chairman's office, his expression cold and unreadable.Nearby, a few employees huddled together, whispering."Psst! Do you think Alyssa joining the board means she's teaming up with Jasper to take down our new president?""People have been saying they broke up since they haven't been seen together for a while," another speculated."But at the press conference, Alyssa openly condemned Mr. Justin. That looked like she was siding with Jasper. So, are they still together or not?""Come on, to people like them, personal feelings don't matter—only their own interests do. Even if they broke up, they can still work together if it
When Jonah reached the bedside, he leaned in slowly, giving Julien an unobstructed view of his tanned skin, well-defined abs, and that devastatingly captivating face. Reclining against the headboard, Julien found himself lost in Jonah's eyes. His breath hitched, and his mind momentarily blanked as Jonah's mesmerizing gaze locked onto him. What could he do? His heart still betrayed him, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He was a fool—a pathetic fool. Jonah braced his arms on either side of Julien's head, his dark eyes overflowing with a raw, possessive affection. It was as if he sought to consume Julien—just as he had last night."Julien, does it still hurt—" "Fuck you!" Julien's bloodshot eyes blazed as he swung his hand, landing a sharp slap across Jonah's face. The illusion of his frailty shattered. A crimson handprint bloomed on Jonah's cheek in a split second, the flesh puffing up visibly. But the sting barely registered. Not when the ache in Jonah's chest was alr
Justin frowned as a hint of surprise flashed across his dark eyes. He had assumed Newton's unannounced appearance at the board meeting—along with Alyssa's involvement—was a coordinated effort with Jasper to overthrow him as president. After mentally running through hundreds of countermeasures, the one possibility he hadn't considered was that everything would proceed smoothly in his favor. Javier was equally stunned, though this outcome aligned with his desires. Today, Justin wasn't merely his son but a constant shadow looming over him, a silent predator watching his every move and reminding him that his past actions weren't completely buried. Instead, this secret loomed like a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment, obliterating everything he'd built. And the person holding the detonator was Justin—his eldest son whom he had trusted above all others. With a dim gaze, Javier watched Justin rise to his feet amid the applause. Suddenly, Justin's voice seemed distant,
Justin curled his lips into a smirk, scoffing in silence. Newton had gone to great lengths to bring Alyssa into Beckett Group. This was his way of decentralizing power and keeping it in check, and he wanted to prevent Justin from having complete control. Unlike others, Javier couldn't hold himself back. He blew his top instantly, his face turning red like a tomato. "Dad, have you lost your mind? Don't you know who she is? She is KS Group's president—our direct competitor!"KS Group is also bidding for Project A5. No matter how much you favor her, you should at least recognize the limits. If you promote her, it's a blatant conflict of interest—outright cronyism!" Newton sneered. "I might understand your concern if I were promoting someone other than Alyssa."His gaze hardened. "Cronyism? A conflict of interest? I wonder who you're really talking about."With those words, he cast a knowing, enigmatic glance at Justin's blank expression. Just then, a board member from Javier's
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa