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
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,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc