Anxiety gnawed at Cyrus as time ticked away. His colleagues had yet to extract any useful information from the leader of the assassins they were interrogating.Firstly, the assassins weren't locals, explaining their audacity in attacking the police commissioner. Secondly, the transaction with their client was recorded offshore, making investigation impossible. Even torture wouldn't make them talk.…The station chief arrived at Solana City Police Bureau over an hour later and made a stern request for Cyrus to release Nicholas. While Cyrus wrestled with the immense pressure, Alyssa was at the hospital, personally tending to a minor scratch on Jasper's knuckles. Her heart ached at the sight."Didn't you promise to take care of yourself?" she chided gently."Five years younger, and that wouldn't have been a scratch," Jasper replied with a hint of amusement in his eyes. He wrapped his left arm around her and pulled her close. He held her hand with his bandaged right hand. "Seems lik
Alyssa and Jasper's hearts lurched at the mention of Amber's name. A flurry of emotions—excitement, unease, and most potently, worry—washed over them. "Did you meet with Amber, Axel?" Alyssa asked, her voice laced with anxiety."No," Axel replied, his voice croaking with a barely concealed hurt. "She sent this video to me on my phone. I'm scared, Lyse. I'm terribly afraid something bad will happen to Amber!"Jasper spoke up reassuringly, "If she sent the video, she's likely still safe for now, Axel. Try not to worry too much.""For now..." Axel gritted his teeth. "But how long will that last? I need to get her out of there!""Don't act recklessly, Axel!" Alyssa warned, her gaze fierce. "You could expose Amber and put her in even greater danger. Remember, she's still in Jameson's clutches!""If this video leaks," Alyssa continued, "there's no evidence linking her as the source. But if you make a reckless move, it'll be as good as telling Jameson Amber's a traitor. He could elimin
Nicholas' emotionless eyes widened as he watched the video. It depicted a dimly lit alley behind a nightclub, where Nathan, the leader of the Ivory Gang, pinned his subordinate to the ground, raining blows upon him.Shortly after, Nathan left the scene. The subordinate was still alive. He was attempting to get up when a dark figure suddenly leaped down from a wall. Cyrus fixed Nicholas with an intense stare, his eyes betraying tension in the muscles around them.The unexpected assailant didn't hesitate. He stomped on the Ivory Gang member, grabbed a rock, and smashed it on the man's head thrice. The subordinate crumpled, his head a sickening mess of blood. A pool of crimson bloomed around him, a horrifying final image as life ebbed away.The initial lighting was dim, shrouding the killer's face in darkness.However, as if by fate's intervention, the lighting on the nightclub's flashy signage flickered to life momentarily, revealing the killer's face—Nicholas, his features spa
Carl was petrified. He immediately placed a call to cancel the meeting before helping Jameson back to his office and onto his couch. Jameson gasped for breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly. The pain felt like his insides were burning. His hands trembled as he pressed them to his burning forehead. His vision swam in and out of darkness."Here, drink some water, Mr. Schmidt!" Carl knelt beside him, his eyes red with worry. He held the glass to Jameson's lips, which were stained with blood."I've called your private doctor. He's on his way as fast as he can. Just hang in there..."Jameson raised a hand and slapped the glass away. In a gruff voice, he rasped, "All these years... Nicholas has done a lot of dirty work for me. He has always been meticulous, handling everything cleanly. How could he leave evidence, let alone a video?""Anyone who plays with fire gets burned eventually," Carl said through gritted teeth. "Even Chief Novak, with all his skills, isn't infallible. Sin
"It's true. She met with no one. I swear!" Carl asserted calmly, though his heart raced within.Jameson leaned back, a slight smile playing on his lips. "It seems like you've taken quite a fancy to her." "I…" Carl stammered, his face flushing in panic. "If that's the case, I shall decide on your behalf this time. You should marry Amber." Carl's eyes widened in shock. "You… You want me to marry Amber?" "I know you've always had feelings for her," Jameson replied, closing his eyes casually. "It's been too long since we celebrated anything in the Schmidt family. You've served me faithfully without asking for anything in return."I'm not heartless. I recognize your true desires. Consider Amber a token of my gratitude, if you will.""Thank you, Mr. Schmidt! I'm honored to marry Amber. She's a gift from you. Why would I ever mind? I'd be ecstatic!" Carl exclaimed gratefully, moved. "Start planning the wedding soon. I'll be generous with my congratulations," Jameson said with for
Alyssa excused herself from Colene and Nathan to continue her phone call with Jasper under a tree."Every criminal leaves a trace. Cyrus is adept at cracking cases. Once the task force starts digging into Nicholas, I'm sure they'll find clues that lead to Jameson," Alyssa explained."It's not that easy, Lyse," Jasper said, his voice dull. "Cyrus checked Chief Novak's accounts and phone records. No unusual profits in years, not even offshore. "As for his phone records, there were a few highly-suspicious unknown number. But those numbers were unregistered burner phones. There's no way to trace them. Chief Novak is essentially a cop. He'd be more professional than most criminals, and his countersurveillance skills would be top-notch.""It complicates things without financial motives," Alyssa admitted, pacing thoughtfully. "Chief Novak clearly isn't driven by money. Everything he's done has been to develop a new drug to save his wife. That's why he's given his all for Jameson. His con
"What did you say? That's impossible!" Amber's eyes widened in panic. She struggled fiercely against Carl's grip, pummeling his chest with her fists, but it was futile. "That's nonsense! You're lying!""Amber… Amber…"Unfazed by her resistance, Carl stared at her with unfocused eyes, breathing heavily. "Why would I lie? My feelings for you are genuine. I've never lied to you." "Look at me! I have Alyssa Taylor's face! Why would Mr. Schmidt allow me to marry you?" Amber was on the verge of hysteria. "I don't want to marry you! I don't!" Carl's glare intensified as he roared, "Who then? Axel Whitaker?" His eyes were bloodshot. Amber's body stiffened in his arms, a sharp pang shooting through her heart.Carl grabbed her chin forcefully, squeezing so hard it felt like it would break. "Mr. Schmidt has had his fun with you. You're also a woman who looks exactly like Axel's sister. Do you think he truly desires you? Can he? "He's Mr. Taylor's son, a man of high standing and influ
The deeply affectionate look on Carl's face was extremely touching. Yet, it failed to reach Amber's anguished heart. "Your past doesn't matter to me. Whether you betrayed Mr. Schmidt... It doesn't matter because it's you I care about.""It doesn't matter?" Amber scoffed. "You're loyal to Jameson, yet you say it doesn't matter?"This sounded like a cruel joke to Amber. She laughed bitterly until her eyes welled up."As I've said, it doesn't matter because it's you! Besides, even if Mr. Schmidt wanted you dead, I have ways to keep you safe!" In his haste, Carl blurted out, "You'll be perfectly safe if you marry me. I swear, Mr. Schmidt wouldn't dare do anything to you!"Amber's pupils constricted. Her sharp mind caught the implication of his words. He hadn't just assured her that Jameson wouldn't take action; he had boldly stated that Jameson wouldn't have the audacity to do so.Carl's loyalty to Jameson was evident, but self-preservation was a primal instinct shared by both ani