Jameson said, "What's there to be afraid of? I've faced and done far more terrifying, darker, and more evil things over the years."Trembling slightly, Jameson lowered his eyes. His face was pale. He reached out a hand as if to catch a butterfly but grasped at nothing. A moment later, he let his arms hang by his side. He curled his fingers into tight fists but still seemed powerless."Right now, all I want is to see Lyse one last time before I die."…The hired assassin was apprehended, and Natalie was transferred to a hospital under KS Group's care.After returning, Axel, with his superior hacking skills, identified the cellphone number's owner and the outgoing message's origin within a few hours. He was demonstrably more efficient than the police's Digital Forensics Department. After all, he was a seasoned professional.…The hush of night blanketed the manor. Jasper and Alyssa's bedroom was a scene of post-coital bliss. Their clothes lay scattered on the floor, and the
Jasper worried about Axel facing danger alone. He threw on clothes as quickly as possible and contacted Cyrus and Xavier, prepping them for a trip to The Millennium.He was determined to help Axel save Amber, their secret ally and Alyssa's future sister-in-law. No matter what, he wouldn't stand idly by.A pang of longing struck Jasper before he even left. He tiptoed back to their room, kneeling by the sleeping Alyssa. Brushing a strand of hair from her face, he leaned in, kissing her forehead, nose, and finally, her lips."Mmph… Jasper… Don't go…" Alyssa mumbled in her sleep, her eyelashes fluttering.Jasper's breath hitched. He fought the urge to stay, placing a gentle hand on her cheek. His chest rose and fell rapidly with each difficult breath. He knew he shouldn't linger. The longer he watched, the harder it would be to leave."Sleep tight, baby. I promise I'll be here when you wake up."…Meanwhile, Cyrus received the evidence from Axel. Armed with an arrest warrant, he led
"We… We are just escorts at The Millennium. We don't know anything… Please don't kill us!" Despite being in the face of two remarkably charming men, the two female escorts were on the brink of tears in fright. In a deep voice, Jasper questioned, "Why is The Millennium closed? Why are you two the only ones left? Where'd everyone go?" "We don't know the details," stammered the bolder of the two, pushing the other woman behind her for protection. "It's an internal matter. We're just lowly escorts."The woman in back added in a meek voice, "C-Carl dismissed everyone overnight. He gave us severance pay and told us to leave. The Millennium is no more. As for the rest, we have no idea..."Jasper's pupils constricted. A cold sweat slicked his skin. They hadn't given their game away; Jameson had abandoned everything in Solana City. He had fled the city, likely to escape punishment for his crimes."What about Amber? Where is she?" Axel shouted, glaring at them. The two women panicked. T
The call was from Jason. Jasper's face lit up. He answered the call immediately. "Hello, Mr. Derullere." "Mr. Beckett, there's been a major upheaval at Schmidt Group!" Jasper had sent Jason's wife and son overseas and hired professional bodyguards to ensure their safety. Jason no longer had anything to fear and could now openly join forces with his savior. "Right now, Schmidt Group has been taken over by the acting vice president. Moreover, it has been secretly acquired by a holding company in Kontina. A company I've never heard of before," Jason explained.A cold gleam flickered in Jasper's eyes. As an experienced businessman, he understood Jameson's intentions. He was certain Jameson was the owner of that holding company. It was a classic business tactic—repackaging oneself like old wine in a new bottle."Jameson is getting desperate as his dirty deeds are coming to light," Jasper said, his voice calm and deep. His mind raced. "Schmidt Group has become a risk to him. He cle
Axel muttered, "I've saved countless lives. Countless people have survived hardships because of me. But with my woman, all I can do is keep her alive? Is that all I am good for?"Dejected, Cyrus pressed his lips together tightly as he shook his head.He wondered what each member of the Taylor family had done in their past lives. Neither the Taylor brothers nor Alyssa had an easy love life. They all faced heartbreaking trials.Finally, Axel entered Amber's room. Out of all the places in The Millennium, this was the only one that felt like home. A lingering fragrance hung in the air, tugging at his heartstrings.Everything in the room remained untouched. The books on the shelves, the clothes in the wardrobe, the cute plushies by the bed—it was as if Amber would return any moment.Suddenly, Axel's gaze fell on the neatly folded sheets. A sharp pang of pain shot through his heart.He moved toward the bed, his steps slow and heavy like a wounded warrior dragging himself across the bat
Alyssa was simply teasing Jasper by playing coy. After all, she trusted him completely. However, her playful joke backfired. Jasper panicked, dropping to one knee with a serious expression."Lyse," he declared solemnly, "I, Jasper Beckett, swear my loyalty to you. You are the only woman I love, the only one I desire, in this life, the next, and the one after. If I ever break this vow, may lightning strike me down!""Alright, alright, Jasper, I was just kidding!" Alyssa couldn't bear to see him like this. She tried to cover his mouth, but he grabbed her hand tightly."It's true that I went out last night. I went to The Millennium with Axel and Cyrus." Alyssa's eyes widened in alarm. Her voice trembled as she cupped his cheek. "Oh my word, why didn't you tell me? Did something bad happen?""Don't worry, everything's fine," Jasper reassured her, taking her hand and stroking it gently. "Axel found the person who hired the hitman to kill Mrs. Novak. It was Jameson's secretary, Carl Mo
Unexpectedly, Jameson's office wasn't locked. The team from the Investigative Bureau entered with ease. Silas stood in the middle and scanned the room with a cold, appraising gaze. His chest tightened with a sense of dread. The open office meant Jameson had likely destroyed any incriminating documents, making it a hollow shell."Mr. Schmidt cleared this place out a long time ago, sir. Are we... Are you still going to search it, Mr. Taylor?" Scott stammered from behind Silas, already slick with sweat.Silas' eyes blazed with determination. "Proceed with the search, team!" he boomed in a powerful voice.His team descended upon the office, taking it apart meticulously.Years of experience dealing with bizarre cases, especially corruption, had instilled a relentless tenacity in Silas. Hiding a trail of dirty money was no different from hiding drugs; there were always creative methods.Silas wouldn't be surprised if this seemingly ordinary office harbored hidden compartments or even
Tatiana stared at her reflection in the mirror, her face round and full. Discontent gnawed at her. "I… I should stop eating. I'm not having dinner tonight. If Sean sees me like this when he gets home, he won't like me anymore!""You don't look like a pig. Look at your slim legs and arms. You're pregnant, so it's perfectly normal for your hips to widen a bit."Alyssa squeezed Tatiana's arm, her eyes shining with the anticipation of their growing family. She chuckled playfully. "If you go on a diet now, it'll be bad for you and the baby. Besides, even if you lose weight, your belly will just keep growing. What will you look like then?"Tatiana was confused. "What?" "You'll have thin limbs and a round bump, just like a beetle!"Tatiana's face flushed red with embarrassment. "Lyse, you…""Alright, alright. I won't tease you anymore." Alyssa gave her a warm hug. "I know looks are important to women, especially for someone in performing arts like you. You've always dreamed of being an
The snow was falling heavily, and the chilling winds howled through the night.Remy had no car, so he trudged through the snow alone, each step more exhausting than the last.His thoughts were consumed with Alyssa—was she still alive? In danger? And Jasper's unrelenting resolve to reach her, even after being shot and drenched in blood.Remy pressed his calloused, trembling hand to his chest. His heart hammered in his ribcage erratically.A sharp, searing pain shot through his temples, blurring his vision. He collapsed to his knees in the snow, his body racked with agony. The pain surged deep within him, and his eyes felt like they were going to burst from their sockets. It was unbearable.His breath came in ragged gasps. His hands scrambled for the necklace hanging from his neck—inside it was a hidden medicine box.Justin had told him that the medication in there could calm him down and relieve him of any pain. It would be able to save his life. But in his desperate haste, the
As subtle as Remy's expressions were, Jasper still noticed them. A slight twinkle flashed across his eyes. He did not have the time to continue entertaining Remy. He clenched his teeth, turned around, and started running toward Crater Mountain. Nevertheless, he had barely taken a few steps when gunshots were fired at his feet. Even so, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead and did not stop. Just then, another gunshot rang out. It wasn't until a bullet hit him in his right shoulder that the pain caused him to stumble. He almost fell to the ground but forced himself to stay on his feet. It was fortunate that he was shot in his right shoulder this time. After all, his left shoulder could not be injured any further. Otherwise, his left shoulder would be left in complete disability."If you take another step, the next shot will be in your left leg," Remy warned mockingly. Yet, his gaze was firm and fiery. "Jasper, I don't suppose you want to end up like your older brother, living in
A chill went down Jasper's spine. At that moment, staring down the barrel of the gun, one thought consumed him. It was the only thought that mattered—he had to stay alive to meet Alyssa!Jasper's mind raced. His gun was hidden under the driver's seat of his usual car, but today, he had taken a different sports car—one that wasn't equipped with a weapon. Panic gripped him for a split second before his instincts kicked in.The soldier within him stirred. Without warning, he jerked the steering wheel, ramming his car into Remy's.One of Remy's headlights was taken out and left rolling across the snow. All of a sudden, this prideful man was overwhelmed with anger. His eyes reddened with a strong sense of competitiveness, compelling him to pull the trigger. A shot rang out. The bullet sliced through the cold air, shattering Jasper's car window.From the very beginning, Remy hadn't intended to take Jasper's life. All Justin told him to do was to stop Jasper from meeting with Alys
"Jasper, you are such a jerk. If anything bad happens to Ms. Alyssa, you will surely regret it. You will live in regret your entire life!" Sean yelled. …The temperature tonight was -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The snowstorm in the woods on the mountain was getting stronger and stronger. The winds were freezing and bone-piercing as they blew against Alyssa's face. Trees swayed dramatically in the screeching winds, creating an inexplicable creepy atmosphere that added a feeling of desolation to Alyssa's sorrowful and depressive mood. She braved the bone-piercing winds and faced the heavy snowfall. With the help of her trekking pole, she plodded forward one step at a time. She did not have a destination in mind. She did not know where she was heading. Her heart had shattered, and she was beside herself. The decreasing temperatures discouraged her and made her lose all her motivation. For someone who had lost their willpower, being in the woods under extreme weather conditions wa
"Mr. Jasper, why do you say so?" Sheryl lifted her head and looked into Jasper's reddened eyes. She furrowed her brows and laughed out loud. "White Dove is from Solana City. This is also something that I wasn't able to predict. If I had known, I wouldn't have gotten you to make a trip here in vain, would I?" Sheryl was no longer that conniving bitch who used to act coy. Now, she had a powerful person backing her up. Jasper's violent rage did not scare her at all. "Why the hell didn't you say anything earlier?" Xavier marched forward furiously. He was even more inclined to serve her a slap. "Did you know that Mr. Beckett had an important date with Madam today? He only rushed her because of your stupid lead! Right now, you're telling us that White Dove isn't in Skydon but Solana City? What the heck are you scheming? Were you trying to ruin Mr. Beckett and Madam's date intentionally?" "Madam? Haven't Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa broken up? Is it right for you to be referring to her
The skies started to turn dark. Alyssa's dark hair was covered in a layer of snow. As she stood alone at the foot of the majestic mountain, she looked tiny, fragile, and desolate. "Ms. Alyssa, it's snowing. Heavy snowfall is forecasted tonight." Elias walked to Alyssa's side. Noticing the redness on her face due to the cold and the dull look in her eyes, he had a moment of realization. He couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness within him. "It's getting late. I suppose something came up for Mr. Beckett, and he's unable to make it." "Why didn't he inform me if that is the case?" Alyssa mumbled in a low voice as she gazed toward the darkness. She choked back on her tears so softly that her grievance couldn't really be heard through her voice. Elias slapped himself on his forehead. "Ah, perhaps you didn't manage to receive Mr. Beckett's message? The reception at the foot of the mountain isn't quite stable. You might have missed it. Would you like to come to my office? You'l
Jasper held his breath. It felt as if his legs had been chained together. He was unable to move. Looking at a stiff Jasper from behind, Xavier noticed his shoulders trembling slightly. An ominous feeling rose within him. "What did you say?" Jasper questioned. He sounded as if he was forcing himself to hold himself back from getting emotional. "Mr. Justin once mentioned that you were saved by a female doctor when you were badly wounded on the battlefield many years ago. I heard that you have been searching for her and that you've been grateful toward her." Jasper's back stiffened up. He narrowed his eyes and asked in a frosty voice, "This is a private matter. Why would Justin have told you about it?" "Mr. Justin mentioned it to me because I also used to work as a doctor in Luminara. He was hoping that I could help with finding that woman. "I finally have news on her whereabouts now. Mr. Jasper, don't you want to see the White Dove again? She was the person who gave her all t
That night, Alyssa stayed in the presidential suite of Solana City's KS World Hotel. She couldn't bring herself to return to her own manor—not yet. The lingering memories of her breakup with Jasper were still too raw, and the thought of revisiting their former home felt like reopening an unhealed wound.The following morning, she was awakened by a knock at the door. Groggily, she slipped on her night robe and opened it to find Sean standing there, carrying a complete set of brand-new hiking gear.Alyssa smiled. "Thank you, Sean." "Ms. Alyssa, it's freezing today. Are you sure you want to go hiking?" Sean walked into the living room and placed the items neatly on the couch. He still felt somewhat worried. "It's alright if it's cold, as long as the weather is good."Alyssa gazed out the window. The sun was shining brightly. The thought of going hiking with Jasper today made it impossible for her to conceal the sweet smile on her face and the delight in her eyes. She still love
Remy's eyes were bloodshot; his expression twisted with disgust as he stared at Sheryl. He could hardly fathom how someone so deranged and vile had once been close to Jasper. Even if Jasper and Alyssa had separated, Sheryl was nowhere near worthy of Jasper's side; she was not even fit to be the dirt on Alyssa's shoes.A sudden flash of memory struck him—the image of Alyssa during that traffic accident. He recalled her mustering all her strength to crawl out of her wrecked car, her face bloody, her body broken yet defiant. He had never seen such a fierce spirit in a woman before.His heart pounded uncontrollably, the memory triggering a sharp pain in his temples. Remy closed his eyes, gasping for breath.Sheryl broke into wild, unhinged laughter. Her entire body shook as she spat out her words, "Oh, Jasper, you poor, clueless fool!"If he ever discovers that the woman he's been tormenting all this time is actually his savior—the one he's been desperate to repay—that would be an eart