In the following days, Alyssa and Jasper split up to attend to their own tasks.Although Jasper didn't openly defy Javier anymore, he continued to fan the flames behind the scenes. He was determined to use the spotlight of public attention to flush Jameson out of his dark hideout.This day, as Jasper was preparing to attend a meeting, he received an unexpected call from Colene."Madam Colene." His voice was calm and polite.Unlike her usual sharp-tongued self, Colene was surprisingly gentle in her treatment of Jasper. She even showed a hint of remorse."Jasper, I haven't properly thanked you for last time. If it weren't for you showing up on time, the Ivory would have been swindled by that dickhead Jameson."I still shudder at the thought. If we really lose the Ivory… I don't know how my dad could go on living. I'll be too embarrassed to face Winston.""Don't say that, Madam Colene. Everything I did was only right," Jasper replied humbly. "The trust that you, Winston, and all th
Nicholas stood frozen in place. His mind was buzzing.It wasn't until the nurse called out to him that he took slow, heavy steps toward the ward.Natalie appeared frail and gaunt as she leaned against the bed. Her eyes widened with panic, mirroring a startled deer, as she tightly held Alyssa's hand.Standing by the window, Alyssa gently stroked Natalie's back. She whispered soothing words to help calm her emotions.Nicholas watched dumbfoundedly at the door.Phoebe, who had been tending to Natalie for almost a decade, sometimes struggled to manage Natalie due to the torment of her illness. Alyssa had just met her, so how could they already get along so well?And under Alyssa's comfort, Natalie's emotions stabilized entirely without the use of tranquillizers. It was simply unbelievable."Nat!" Nicholas walked over with a pale face. He pulled Natalie into his arms and held her tightly."Mrs. Novak, you kept asking me where your husband was just now, right? He's here now." Alyssa'
The wind whistling past on the rooftop seemed to transform into invisible blades."Of course," Nicholas replied in a low voice, without any unnecessary words.Having been in office for many years, he understood the principle of speaking according to the situation well.He knew that speaking too much often led to mistakes, especially when facing the woman before him, whom he recognized as no ordinary person. Alyssa was courageous and possessed the intelligence of a shrewd strategist.After all, she was the woman Jameson deeply loved."In that case, we share the same goals. We shouldn't be enemies but comrades fighting side by side." Alyssa smiled faintly."Ms. Alyssa, I don't feel I need to fight side by side with you."Nicholas' eyes turned cold. "You're a magnate, and I'm a public servant. Our paths should diverge. But regardless, thank you for saving my wife. I'll repay this kindness in the future. If not, perhaps in the next life."Alyssa frowned."I need to go back to take
Only by appealing to his interests could Nicholas possibly be moved.Alyssa stepped closer to Nicholas and slipped the report into his pocket before walking away without looking back.In the chilly wind, Nicholas trembled as he retrieved the paper. After reading it, he tore it up slowly and let the shreds scatter in the wind.Suddenly, his phone vibrated. Nicholas pressed it to his ear. "Yes, Carl.""Chief Novak, Mr. Schmidt asks you to act tonight."Nicholas took a deep breath. His gaze was dark. "Okay."…At 7:00 pm, Marc, accompanied by Colene and Matilda, arrived at KS World Hotel and held the press conference as scheduled despite his deteriorating health.He disclosed all the recent events of the Ivory members being manipulated by drugs and urged everyone to stay away from such dangerous substances, warning of the risks to life."I'll fully cooperate with the police investigation. And I support the police in thoroughly searching all Ivory members for any hidden drugs and
Terrified, Aidan felt his hair stand on its ends. He hurriedly covered the woman's corpse with a blanket.Trembling at the foot of the bed, he debated whether to call the police when there was a knock on the door.It was 4:00 am. Who could it be? It was certainly not room service.Aidan walked to the door. "W-Who's there?" His voice quivered uncontrollably."Mr. Aidan," came a calm and steady voice from outside. "I'm here on Mr. Schmidt's orders to help you."Aidan remained stubborn. "I-I don't need any help.""The woman you picked last night should still be in your room, right? How is she doing now?"Aidan's heart pounded in alarm as he rushed to open the door.A man stood outside, dressed in a black sports outfit with a cap pulled low and a black mask obscuring his features. Only his cold and sharp eyes were visible."H-How do you know?" Aidan was shocked.Without a word, the man played a video on his phone right in front of Aidan.The footage showed the entire scene from
Jameson chuckled. "There will be a sum transferred to your offshore account tomorrow. Please make sure to check it.""Mr. Schmidt, I'm not doing this for the money...""I know. But everyone who works for me will be duly compensated. This is your due."Jameson's words were clear, but his tone carried an inherent arrogance. "Besides, your wife's hospital bills must be considerable. Your savings likely aren't enough.""Thank you," Nicholas murmured.He then hesitated before asking, "Mr. Schmidt, several subjects have had severe adverse reactions, and some have even died. The new drug seems highly unstable. Can it really be successfully developed?"A silence followed on the other end.Nicholas, despite his vast experience, felt a surge of anxiety."Chief Novak, have you seen anyone recently?" Jameson's tone remained casual, even slightly amused.Nicholas's heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to lie. "No. I'm just worried because my wife's condition worsens daily." His voic
Alyssa and Jasper exchanged a look of astonishment.They had always thought Aidan's arrogance and boasting would lead to his downfall eventually, but they hadn't expected it to happen so soon."Cyrus, did your people follow Aidan to find this out?" Alyssa asked curiously."No, we received an anonymous tip that led us to Aidan's stash of illegal drugs in a warehouse. But that's not all. We also found two bodies of the Ivory Gang members on a Lovelace Group's cargo ship near that warehouse."The couple's eyes widened in shock."The bodies were frozen, so they were well-preserved and hadn't decomposed. They were likely trying to use the ship to smuggle the bodies out of the country. After all, Solana City is filled with our surveillance. It's hard to dispose of two bodies here."Cyrus's voice dropped, sounding more serious. "We performed autopsies immediately. As expected, both bodies died from drug overdoses."Jasper frowned. His eyes deepened with thought."Cyrus, your team has
After Aidan's arrest, the Lovelace family plunged into unprecedented chaos.Edgar fainted in a fit of rage and was rushed to the hospital. The police immediately questioned Joseph, who aged a decade during his interrogation at the station.At the same time, he was slapped with a travel ban. He couldn't leave Solana City until the case was resolved.As Joseph prepared to enter his car with his entourage, an egg came flying out of nowhere and smashed on his head."How dare you experiment on live humans? You're insane! Don't call yourself a human!""You killed so many innocent people for drug development! Have you no conscience?""No more Lovelace Pharmaceuticals for me! Boycott Lovelace Group!"Joseph's face flushed red as he hurried into the car, and the luxury vehicle sped away.The smell of rotten eggs filled the car interior, making even the driver feel nauseous."Mr. Joseph, should we head home first to shower and change before visiting Mr. Edgar at the hospital?" Joseph's
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"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,