Tatiana stuttered, "Y-Yes!" "I'll go to your performance with Ms. Alyssa." Sean beamed at Tatiana like a big brother. He was close to Alyssa and Tatiana because he watched them grow up. He even recalled how the young Tatiana, around six or seven years old, always followed Alyssa around with snot on her face, sucking on a lollipop.Alyssa did not notice the blush on Tatiana's cheeks because the latter was easily embarrassed. Little did she know that Tatiana had a crush on Sean for seven years."Let's go. I'm famished. I've been missing Lyla's cooking for days! Time to eat!" She held Tatiana's hand and traversed the villa."Mom's still in the kitchen. Dinner is not ready yet because you're back early." Tatiana swung Alyssa's arm, just like she had done since she was young."Oh! I'm hungry, though." Alyssa's stomach was growling from hunger."How about some snacks?" Sean smiled and unwrapped a chocolate bar he fished from his jacket pocket. Then, he attentively fed it to her.Sh
Mandy was prepared to take the bullet for everyone else as long as Lyla and Colene were not implicated."Why didn't you tell me? You should have known better than my daughter! Don't you feel bad watching her living in hell?" Winston was taking out his anger on Mandy."Winston, it's all my fault." Mandy slowly rose from her seat. She couldn't be more humble as the proud daughter of the Lovelace Family. "Don't blame it on Lyse. Fault me instead. I did not pay enough attention to her."Alyssa felt her chest tightened. She was about to defend Mandy when the hot-tempered Colene shot up from the couch and blurted out, "Don't blame it on Mandy! I'm responsible too! I knew about Lyse's marriage from the start!""What?" Winston's eyes popped out of his head."M-Me too …" Lyla meekly raised her hand. "I knew about it … way before this.""Lyla, even you are involved … They are a bad influence on you!" His head was spinning when he learned that the innocent Lyla had learned to lie.Tears fi
"Lyse, stop flattering me. I'm not as good as my mom in embroidery." Tatiana bit her lips softly as dimples appeared on her flushed cheeks.Of course, she was over the moon to receive Alyssa's approval. However, nothing could beat Sean's compliments. She might not be able to sleep from the excitement."You took after Lyla's talent in singing and dancing. On top of that, you're great at arts and crafts. I'll introduce you to a top fashion designer. You could collaborate across fields, and that would launch you to fame. That will help you to carve your path in the world of fashion design. What do you think?""Thank you, Lyse, but … I am more interested in an entertainment career. After all, I'm a student at the Solana Film Academy. I hope to become an actress after graduation." Tatiana was soft-spoken and rather unconfident.Lyla had endured bullying in the entertainment industry. So, Winston strongly disagreed with Tatiana's choice to attend Solana Film Academy and enter the industr
It seemed that Liana would move into Seaview Manor as the future Mrs. Beckett and live with Jasper soon. Alyssa was understanding because she would have felt upset at the belongings of Jasper's ex-wife lying around too. "So, I guess they're a problem for you? Why don't you throw them out instead of asking me?" Her voice was wintry."What about the gifts from you? Do you want me to throw them out too?"She smirked. "Those were gifts from Alice White, not me. They might be treasure in her eyes, but they are nothing more than garbage to me."She left Jasper choking on anger."Call up my secretary if there's anything else. I don't pick up calls from unknown numbers. I'm hanging up.""Alyssa.""Are you done?" She raised her voice out of irritation."What about the costumes? You take great care of them. Do you want to throw them out as well?" His voice hardened with a hint of threat. "If you don't pick them up, I'll deal with them as I see fit because no one's claiming them."Aly
"A name list of your suitors." Winston looked amused.Everyone was dumbfounded at Winston's announcement. Even Tatiana, who had impeccable manners, dropped her utensils in shock. Silas almost spat out his coffee and was coughing with a red face."Winston!" Alyssa sprung up with a sharp frown. "You're taking revenge against me, right? That's not very gentlemanly!""Revenge is sweet." He took a casual sip of his coffee. "Anyway, why would I take revenge on my daughter? I know you're low profile, but the news of the divorce will spread in our circle soon. "They'll be laughing at you. If Jasper Beckett is marrying someone new after the divorce, I'd do anything to make sure you have what he's having.""So, if he gets the case of the crazies, do I get that too?" She fired back with a snicker."Anyway, I have made the decision. I rushed Neil to compile a list overnight covering bachelors of your age from similar family backgrounds in the nation. Get ready to meet with at least five of
Jasper was standing alone by a black Ferrari with a straight back and a gentlemanly demeanor right outside Heightsnew Villa.He narrowed his eyes at the intricate family crest on the metal gate during the wait.He had been looking into the Taylor family for days. From his research, he learned that the Heightsnew Villa was the property Winston Taylor bought for his first wife, Alyssa's mother. The luxurious villa was one of its kind in the nation and worth more than the monetary value.It turned out that Alyssa's mother had named the villa. On a side note, he found out that Alyssa had chosen the name Alice White during their marriage, partly inspired by her mom's last name, Whitaker.Still, he hadn't figured out the reason she had chosen "Alice" for her first name, if there was any. She did not look like an Alice.When he was deep in thought, the gate creaked open. He quickly gathered his attention and tensed up a little. He found Alyssa standing on the stairs and staring down at
Immediately, Jasper reached for the seatbelt and helped Alyssa fasten it.She clenched her jaw and flinched as though she was in contact with filth. "Where are you bringing me?""Last night, we agreed on picking up your stuff from my place today." He let go of her and leisurely placed his hands on the steering wheel."I will be there. You didn't have to pick me up!""I don't trust you." He started the engine and stole a glance at her. "You're a bloody good liar. How many times did you lie to me in the past three years? Were you ever honest with me?""Had I never?" She smirked. "Think what you want. It doesn't matter."Her words were like bullets to his chest. He felt chills in his body. Sometimes, he'd rather she had never fallen for him. At least, he wouldn't have felt guilty for his poor treatment of her.The Ferrari sped on the highway as the scenic view passed them by in a blur. Since Alyssa could not escape, she decided to take things as they came. She crossed her arms an
Alyssa's lashes fluttered. Jasper's knowledge gave her the goosebumps."How did you know I am a size 5.5?"He remained stoic. "Your feet look tiny. It was a blind guess."She curled her feet in the slippers awkwardly but did not forget to take a dig at him. "All men are the same. They're either leering or openly touching the opposite sex."He went silent. Deep down, he knew he wasn't being upfront. He learned about her shoe size only because he had carefully scrutinized every single item she left behind at Seaview Manor.He also learned that she had a stockpile of snacks at home, like a squirrel collecting nuts. Most of them are chocolates. Her favorite perfume was La fille de Berlin by Serge Lutens, which he remembered well. At first, he thought the spicy scent did not suit her. Looking back, he was wrong. The arrogant and intense scent was created just for her.He learned about her shoe size. Her collection of white shoes was laid out cleanly on the shoe rack, as though she w
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