As a business tycoon who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Winston, the news of Victor's death should have been locked down. Only when the situation was more stable would they make a public announcement.Unexpectedly, various media outlets fought to release the news, and it spread across the city like wildfire.Jameson was the one who released the news. As of now, he was the only one left from the Schmidt family, so naturally, he would inherit the company.He finally got his wish. He climbed over mountains of corpses to reach the height of Schmidt Group's power.Victor's body was temporarily placed in the hospital morgue. As his relative, Jameson refused to do an autopsy. Since the police did not find traces of foul play, the case was closed as an accidental death.In the hospital's rest area, Jameson sat up straight on a black leather couch. His arms rested on the armrest naturally and with an air of authority. He closed his eyes and started imagining himself sitting on a thro
Jameson sat back down gracefully. His arrogant tone of voice carried a sense of intimidation at the same time. Jason stood there in fear. In his hesitation, Carl went up to him and offered him a lighter. "You are a smart man, Mr. Derullere. I'm sure you understand that a new management often brings in a new batch of personnel. That said, Mr. Schmidt is a generous and kind man. He recognizes your talents. He hopes that you will be able to continue with your role as Schmidt Group's legal advisor. "Once Mr. Schmidt is officially promoted, your family will also benefit from your loyalty. This is a win-win approach. Don't you wish to see this happen too, Mr. Derullere?" Jason was terrified. Deep down, he was immensely conflicted. But, it was obvious that Jameson's patience was running thin. A few minutes later, he flicked the lighter and set the will aflame.…Jameson's final hurdle was cleared. He announced his decision to call for an emergency board meeting the next day. He
Jameson's confession made the entire atmosphere in the hallway turn frigid. It felt as if they had already arrived at the morgue. Not only was Alyssa unmoved by Jameson's shameless and straightforward confession, but she was actually utterly disgusted. She observed the iciness and hatred in Jameson's eyes. It was as if she was looking at a terrifying monster. "I can't believe you had the guts to say those things, Mr. Schmidt. I feel ashamed just hearing it." Silas was the type of person who spoke his mind. He couldn't stand Jameson's nastiness. "Previously, you attacked Jasper repeatedly just to try and win Lyse over. Have you forgotten how much you hurt my brother-in-law?" Silas' reference to Jasper as his "brother-in-law" made Jameson's face drop. "Fine. You can say that you acted up out of jealousy because you were still young. Jasper isn't the type of person who would hold onto grudges, so there's not much we need to say about that. But don't you think that we've forgot
"Let's have a chat," Alyssa suggested. The sensor lights in the hospital stairwell didn't light up. Only a green glow from the emergency exit sign illuminated the stairwell. Alyssa and Jameson faced one another in the dim stairwell. The atmosphere around them was extremely icy. "It's been a long time since we last met at the Harper family's funeral, Lyse. How have you been?" Jameson was bright-eyed. He took a step closer to her. Alyssa took a step back. She gave him a cold smile. "Did you think that everything you did was flawless, Jameson? Do you feel like you are the smartest person in the world and that you can get a grasp over everyone else? "Did you think I am completely oblivious to your collusion with Lovelace Group's Aidan Lovelace and the things you've done to The Ivory Gang members?" She only mentioned Aidan and not Nicholas because she wanted to save him for the future when he could be a breakthrough for Amber.Moreover, Jameson was a vicious man. If he found ou
The look in Alyssa's clear eyes became even more distant. Jimmy—the nickname seemed distant, almost forgotten, tucked away in the recesses of her mind. Yet now, it echoed in her ears once again.The youth with an innocent and tender smile from her past appeared again in her mind. Unfortunately, life's hardships and the cruelty of humanity had transformed the said youth into a despicable devil. There was no other way than for her to ensure that justice was served by getting rid of this devil. She had to do this for the sake of her loved ones and those who were controlled and harmed by him. Jameson noticed Alyssa's absent-mindedness. He thought that his words moved her. Waves of passion crashed within him, and his breathing became heavier. He lowered his eyes. He couldn't help himself and leaned in for a kiss that he had been yearning for.A sharp crack sounded in the dark stairwell. The next moment, Jameson froze. He felt a sharp coldness on his neck, and his lips went p
The next day, a piece of groundbreaking news spread across Solana City and throughout the entire country. Jameson was officially promoted to Schmidt Group's chairman and chairman of the board. He also inherited all of Victor's inheritance. Victor's funeral happened five days later. Jameson arranged a grand funeral for his father. It was comparable to the Harper family's funeral. One could say that it was even more showy than that. Harper Group was previously in a state of danger and devastation. In comparison to that, there was an endless stream of people who came to pay their final respects to Victor. It truly portrayed how extensive his connections were and how deep-rooted the Schmidt family was in Solana City. More importantly, over the past two years, the inconspicuous Jameson had saved Schmidt Group from the verge of collapse multiple times, demonstrating his strength as a leader. Naturally, many businessmen flocked toward him. They wanted to be in Jameson's good books
Alyssa lifted her wrist and checked the time. "I'll eat before we go. I need to recharge. Who knows if there might be a war to fight?" Sean frowned. "Are you sure you want to head there alone, Ms. Alyssa? Aren't you at least going to inform Mr. Beckett so he can keep a lookout for you?" The Ivory might be an organization, but it was actually an organization of outlaws! "Who says that I'll be alone? Colene will be there, won't she?" Alyssa responded casually. "But…""Plus, Jasper is occupied. He has other things to attend to." Alyssa's gaze was fiery, and she had a bearing of a sharp-witted commander. "We have to make our moves separately so that The Ivory will not end up in chaos." …In the afternoon, Marc was in the VIP ward at the hospital. His sideburns had started to go gray. He was seated in his bed with his back against the headboard while being hooked onto an IV drip. He had just thrown up the lunch that he had just eaten. Ever since Nathan was arrested, Marc's
The Ivory Group was facing troubles both internally and externally. They were like a cat on a hot tin roof. Marc's right hand, Nathan, had been arrested, and Colene had gone to take charge of the gang. Matilda was the only person he had left by his side. Marc took a deep breath. His gaze was gloomy. He studied Jameson's arrogant face and the mysterious intention in those eyes behind his gold-framed glasses. Matilda had seen all kinds of crafty people after being by Marc's side for so many years. Jameson was giving off an air of wild ambition and murderous intent. She had a feeling that Jameson wasn't here for a friendly visit. "You don't look too good, Mr. Waters. I can see that you are very sick." Carl had already moved a chair over for Jameson without waiting for Marc's prompt. Jameson then helped himself and sat down elegantly. His attitude was arrogant and condescending. He wasn't here to pay a hospital visit. He was here to challenge him! Matilda was enraged. She wa
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