"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
Jameson had witnessed brutal fights and seen the darkest aspects of humanity right here in Kontina. Without these experiences, he might never have realized that the country's picturesque landscapes masked the dangers of a ruthless, dog-eat-dog world.Had things been different, he might have considered this place his true home, where he could have run a regular business and lived peacefully with his mother, Lily.Today was a rainy day. Holding a black umbrella, Jameson arrived alone at Rose Nursing Home to visit Lily.Across Kontina, every place he had invested in or had financial influence bore the name "rose". It was his way of reassuring himself and keeping the memory of his distant love alive."How are you feeling today, Mom?" Lily sat under the awning, staring blankly at the falling rain. Jameson gently held her hand as he sat beside her. Her hands were just skin and bones, devoid of vitality. With her mouth slightly agape, Lily's expression appeared blank. She didn't see
Axel was standing on a balcony at Heightsnew Villa when he answered Jameson's call, his black coat billowing in the wind. The chilling wind stung his cheeks. Jameson's mocking voice was like a devil's whisper. A lump formed in Axel's throat, making it hard to breathe. His eyes burned red."Jameson, you must have a fucking death wish!""I've heard that countless times in the last 15 years. But talk is cheap. No one's touched me yet," Jameson replied with a chuckle. "Care to be the one to walk into the lion's den, Mr. Axel?""You think you're a lion? Ha!" Axel scoffed, his chest heaving. "You're just a hyena feeding on carrion.""Amber and my secretary, Carl, will be having their grand wedding in Kontina next Saturday. She's the woman you're deeply in love with. Will it be a lifetime of regret for you if you missed her wedding?"A seasoned secret agent, Axel's instincts were razor-sharp, yet Jameson's words chilled him to the bone."Jameson, if you hurt Amber, I'll hunt you down.
"What are you saying, Jasper?" Axel's lips curled into his usual, careless smile. His nonchalance was as if the world's end held no consequence for him."Who said I'm going for a final battle? I'm just returning to work. I've been absent for days. The organization might fire me if I don't go back. Then I'll lose my pension.""Stop pretending. I've overheard your conversation with Dad." Alyssa pouted, pinching her earlobe. "Don't forget my awesome eavesdropping skills!"Axel was left speechless. Alyssa truly had a knack for eavesdropping on everything."I'm determined to get Amber back, no matter what." Axel took a deep breath. A dull pain spread throughout his heart. "Jameson's bold enough to reveal his location and even invited me to Kontina. This just shows that it will be one hell of a fierce battle. Honestly, I'm terrified.""Axel…" Jonah's eyes welled up as he stepped forward, placing his hands firmly on Axel's shoulders.Axel!" Jasper and Alyssa struggled to hold back their
The next four days were ordinary but fulfilling. Alyssa accompanied Jasper to visit Newton and spent the night there. They even had a video call with Landon and Lauren.The couple had already honeymooned in three countries and were about to embark on their next adventure."Jasper, Lyse, Jameson has now become a wanted man. He's escaped to Kontina, hasn't he?" Landon asked, taking advantage of a moment alone with the couple while Lauren was with Jordan for her medications. "Knowing you two, I'm sure you plan to head to Kontina to capture that bastard yourselves."He continued, "I'm worried. I want to be there to fight alongside you all!""If you truly care about us, there's only one thing you need to do—stay with Lauren," Alyssa responded, leaning into Jasper's arms. Her expression turned serious. "Remember, Landon, no matter what happens, you must stay by Lauren's side. Don't falter."She emphasized, "Don't forget what you went through to marry her. No one is more important than L
Miley kissed Alyssa's cheek. Her eyes were moist as she grumbled, "When will you stop making Jeremy and me worry? Stop getting yourself involved in all these risky businesses!" "This is the last time. It won't happen again," Alyssa said, sticking her tongue out playfully. "Miley won't feel at ease if all of you stayed at a hotel, so she asked me to host you here. In all of Kontina, the security at the presidential office is second to the royal palace." Jeremy smiled warmly. He still had the same air of elegance and nobility as before. The only difference was that his sideburns had started turning gray. Clearly, leading a country was taxing and taking a toll on him. "Jeremy was the one who suggested it. Though, he had the same thought as me." Miley looked at her husband, Jeremy, with a gaze full of affection. "He might not express it normally, but he thinks about all of you all the time." Alyssa sniffled, feeling moved. "Thank you, Jeremy."Jasper was also touched. "Sorry f
Alyssa flipped through the documents and studied them carefully. She spotted a red-colored heading. Suddenly, she realized that these were classified documents. Compromising classified information from a foreign state was undeniably unethical and reckless. Regrettably, the damage was done. She had already opened it.Soon enough, Alyssa realized that the documents were likely submitted by the National Security Agency. They contained information on some of the top spies who had harmed Kontina's national interests over the years. These spies seemed to be on the run and had not yet been captured.They came from well-to-do families, were industry elites, or held significant positions. Yet, the crimes they had committed were terrifying, warranting sentences of death multiple times over if they were caught.With her exceptional speed-reading ability and memory, Alyssa was a natural fit for a special agent role. Her talents allowed her to remember every detail after reading a document j
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