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
"Where will we go?" Amber looked back at Carl with a numb expression. After ending things with Axel, she felt like a wanderer. It didn't matter who she was with or where she went; nothing seemed to matter anymore.However, she sensed that something significant must have happened in Cyrris. Jameson's foundations were shaken, which left Carl, who idolized him, thinking of fleeing."We can go anywhere. I've saved enough money over the years working for Mr. Schmidt to live comfortably for the rest of our lives," Carl said, removing a USB flash drive from his computer and hiding it under his clothing.Amber's gaze lingered on his chest, her eyes dull. "Didn't Mr. Schmidt say he wanted us to get married in Kontina?""We can talk about that after we leave this place." Though Carl was Jameson's ruthless weapon, his feelings for Amber were genuine, evident in the way he looked at her."Getting married isn't the most important thing. What's important is that we can be together, always!"
"Let's not sleep in separate rooms tonight. Sleep with me," Amber said, her voice laced with forced flirtation. She suppressed a wave of disgust, pain, and self-loathing as she invited Carl into her bed.Her gaze, supposedly amorous, held a chilling undercurrent. Her eyes darted toward Carl's chest, where his cross necklace hung. She yearned to rip open his shirt with her eyes."Amber, what's wrong? Are you sick? Did you drink?" Carl asked, his voice hoarse and strained. He swallowed hard, his hand touching her forehead with practiced restraint. "No, I'm sober. I know what I'm doing," Amber replied. Leaning in, she adopted a tender expression. "Marriage doesn't change us. We're already like husband and wife, aren't we? Sharing a bed seems natural."She was desperate to find the evidence Carl had hidden. She didn't care about the cost, even if it meant sacrificing her battered body.A sense of impending doom loomed over her; she feared neither she nor Carl would leave Kontina aliv
"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
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa