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
Alyssa sped away from Heightsnew Villa toward Solana City Investigative Bureau after hearing the news. Her striking Lamborghini came to a graceful stop at the bureau's entrance. As Alyssa stepped out of the car, she paused. "Jasper?" Jasper stood tall and imposing, wrapped in a black coat, beside a modest Maybach parked under a tree. The biting wind did nothing to diminish his statue-like presence. He had clearly been waiting for her.Without hesitation, Jasper hurried toward Alyssa. "Are you cold, Lyse?" He quickly removed his coat and wrapped it around her. Still, he thought it was insufficient, pulling her into a tight embrace."The car's heating was strong. I'm not cold," Alyssa replied. Concerned, she cupped his icy face with her warm hands. "Silly, I should be asking you. Why wait outside in this cold? You could've waited in the car. The wind is freezing. Did you think it was funny?""I wanted to see you as soon as you arrived," Jasper said, his eyes filled with longing as
"Silas, you said that Jameson committed murder? What's that about?" Alyssa couldn't wait to find out. "This afternoon, I went and conducted a search at Schmidt Group, which included a search of Jameson's office. I found a pinhole camera in one of the books on a bookshelf." Silas couldn't hide the tremble in his voice. He was still stirred up, even until now. Jasper and Alyssa exchanged shocked glances. "Was Jameson the one who set it up?" Alyssa asked, her eyes blazing. "He's a wicked man with many evil schemes. He might have been surveilling himself while monitoring his office.""That way, if he got dirt on a corporation's executive, he could blackmail them. It's his usual tactic," she continued."That might not be the case," Silas said, steadying his breath. With a stern look, he explained, "I brought the camera back and reviewed the footage immediately. Guess what I found?"Alyssa was like a cat on hot bricks. "C'mon, Silas. Quit building the suspense. Tell us!" "The foot
"Damn, Miley, you're amazing!" Silas exclaimed before Alyssa could say a word. "The women in our family are truly amazing!""S-Silas? I didn't realize you were here too," Miley said, surprised."I think it's a waste of your talent as First Lady to be looking into someone like Jamiper," Silas remarked."Don't say that, Silas," Miley replied with a soft laugh. "Honestly, I didn't do much. It was mostly thanks to the clues Lyse provided. I just followed up on them. It wasn't a big deal."I've been overseas with Jeremy for years dealing with the country's affairs, and I rarely get to see you all. It's nice to be able to help from here and feel connected to you again."Her words brought tears to the Taylor siblings' eyes."Thank you very much, Miley." Jasper's voice, gentle as a soft breeze, brushed against Alyssa's ears, bringing a flush to her cheeks. "Once this is resolved, Lyse and I will visit you and Jeremy in Kontina.""Oh, hello, Jasper. For some reason, having you there make
Carl stared at the body lying in a pool of blood. Cold sweat drenched him, and fear shook his frame. "You're already under attack after just a few days back. What should our next move be?"Don't worry," Jameson replied. "Before I die, I'll drag these foolish, greedy idiots to hell with me."As the words left his lips, Jameson was startled. His eyes held an infinitely dark and cold intensity. He'd uttered "hell" without conscious thought, as if prophesying his own fate. Did he believe his hands were so stained with blood and evil that hell was his only destination?In the silence, Jameson's phone rang. He turned away from Carl and his subordinates, facing the desolate moon outside the window and answered the call. "Go ahead." "Mr. Schmidt, things look bad for you here," his informant said, his voice heavy with gloom. It was as if Jameson's reign had ended, and there was no chance of recovery."It is what it is. How bad can it get? Just get to the point." Jameson let out a few dry co
"It doesn't matter where I go. I'd rather die than run and hide like a coward," Jameson declared. He didn't need anyone to understand him. Jameson no longer sought Alyssa's forgiveness. Since she couldn't forgive him, he might as well become a villain she'd never forget.…After everything, Amber returned to Kontina, where she and Jameson had met. She was back in the manor where she used to live. Nothing had changed except her. Battered, bruised, and emotionally numb, she felt like she was living in a dream.Amber was confined to the manor for over a week. But she didn't idle her time away. Instead, she secretly searched the manor for the evidence Carl had hidden of Jameson's crimes. Carl didn't have his guard up against her. With no restrictions on her access to the study, she explored every corner, even searching Carl's computer. Yet, she found nothing.One evening, after showering, Amber sat at her vanity, combing her dark, silky hair, when a helper called from outside. "M
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