"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
The station captain was under pressure from his superiors because the police officers still couldn't get Nicholas to talk. When he learned that Alyssa wanted to try negotiating with Nicholas, he decided solving the case was more important than following protocol. Although Alyssa wasn't a professional negotiator, he made an exception and allowed her to meet with Nicholas for a chat.Jasper and Cyrus watched Alyssa's confrontation with Nicholas through a one-way mirror in the observation room next to the interrogation room. Their faces were grim and filled with concern.In the interrogation room, Nicholas stared emotionlessly at Alyssa. "Ms. Alyssa, I've confessed everything I need to confess. I don't think we have anything left to discuss.""Chief Novak," Alyssa began. "Please don't call me that. Here, I'm just a cold-blooded murder suspect," Nicholas mocked. Even as a prisoner, he retained his elegance—decades as an official had imbued him with an air of calmness that wouldn't
Jameson felt like he was being burned at the stake. Every inch of his body was on fire, throbbing in pain. "My apologies," he rasped. "That said, please tell Mr. Justin not to worry. I will make sure to settle all the troubles here in Solana City!" "That's easy for you to say!" Sheryl jeered. "Since you took over as Schmidt Group's chairman, you haven't achieved a single success. Instead, Jasper and Alyssa have consistently outmaneuvered you."Jameson closed his reddened eyes. Hatred and dissatisfaction gnawed at him. He gritted his teeth."Don't say that I didn't warn you, Mr. Schmidt. Nicholas Novak is a threat. You'd better get rid of him. This is the last chance Mr. Justin is giving you. I'm sure you know what outcome awaits you if you fail again," she added with a chilling voice.She abruptly terminated the call before Jameson could utter a word. He stared at the dark screen, a sense of frigid entrapment washing over him.A knock at the door startled him back to his sens
Days passed. Everything looked calm on the surface. Beneath the surface, however, something was brewing.On the fourth day, a black car pulled up to the police station entrance. Jason emerged, his face etched with a dark scowl. He took a deep breath before entering the building.An officer stood guard outside a visitation room where Nicholas and Jason met."Mr. Novak—" Jason began, but Nicholas cut him off. "You don't have to say anything, Mr. Derullere. I understand. I've told the police repeatedly that I acted alone. No one else is involved. Regardless of the sentence, I won't appeal."Jason clenched his jaw. As he hesitated, Nicholas continued, his voice weak, "That being said, before everything is finalized, I'd like to see Mr. Schmidt one last time. There are things I need to ask him in person.""Mr. Novak, Mr. Schmidt is an important figure. He won't be meeting with you again," Jason said in a low voice. The mere mention of Jameson's name sent shivers down his spine.Ni
Jasper smiled slightly at Jason as he got into the car. He extended his hand first."Nice to meet you, Mr. Derullere." "Nice to meet you too, Mr. Beckett." Jason shook Jasper's hand. Jasper's strength and composure eased Jason's nervousness."Please forgive my bluntness, Mr. Beckett. I am a lawyer for Schmidt Group. Meeting me privately like this… Isn't it inappropriate?" Jason was both stating a fact and testing him at the same time. "While we may be on opposing sides," Jasper explained seriously, "I share your deep grudge against Jameson. However, I've always believed the guilty should be held accountable. I'm a fair man and won't target the innocent.""Moreover," Jasper continued, his posture unwavering, "I have a feeling we're not enemies, but rather friends on opposite sides.""Friends…" Jason's eyes welled up. He couldn't believe his ears. "Since you risked meeting me," Jasper's gentle voice resonated with Jason, "I believe you acknowledge me as an ally. Am I right, M