The church had been cleared out three days ago. No one was allowed to enter, not even the outdoor venue and courtyard.Carl was a groom-to-be. Yet, he felt like his heart was being roasted on a fire pit as he struggled with an indescribable feeling of suffering and agony. He didn't want to have a wedding ceremony. He only wanted to leave Kontina and head to a faraway land with Amber as quickly as possible.Today, the sun shone brightly in the sky. Even so, there seemed to be an invisible fog that surrounded the church. Jameson's subordinates filled the church seats. They were expressionless, like puppets lined up in a production factory. They were simply here on their superior's orders to put up a front for the betrothed couple. Amber and Carl were both orphans. They didn't have any relatives or friends. Somehow, it felt like an omen that this couple was destined not to be blessed. Amber wore a pure white floor-length wedding dress. The elegant makeup on her face was beau
In an instant, the entire church hall fell into a chilling silence. Jameson's subordinates, dressed in black, rose to their feet, their sharp gazes fixed intently on the proudly standing Axel."Axel…"Amber's pale face was initially as lifeless as a marionette's. However, Axel's determined smile rekindled life within her. Tears streamed down her face, washing away her exquisite makeup. Despite her makeup running, she looked even more radiant and genuine.Carl, standing beside her, felt a tightening in his chest. Anger boiled within him, his eyes turning red.His fury stemmed not only from Axel's interruption of the wedding but also from Amber's tears for Axel. It became clear that she hadn't moved on; she was still in love with Axel, while Carl had failed to win her heart."Don't be afraid, Amber. I'm here." Beneath his black coat, Axel trembled uncontrollably, his blood rushing to his head. He cried out with every fiber of his being, "Nothing and no one else can ever separate
"Don't move!" Carl roared and yanked Amber into his arms. His arm draped protectively across her front as he pressed the gun against her temple. "Take a chance if you want to see your beloved die before your eyes!"Carl knew Axel was one of the top secret agents. Facing all of them alone, taking Axel's life would be effortless.Carl had nowhere to run—Amber was his last shot at staying alive. The woman he professed to love was now his hostage, a tragic twist of fate that seemed almost too absurd to bear."Axel… Leave me… Go!" Amber's voice was resolute despite the tears brimming in her eyes."Don't you dare touch her. If you do, I will ensure you die a torturous death!" Axel's eyes burned with fury and ice, radiating a palpable menace."Amber has registered her marriage with me. She is legally mine!"The look in Carl's eyes was feral. He was choking Amber so hard that her face had puffed red. He continued, "We were supposed to have our wedding ceremony, escape to a distant land
Alyssa's eyes welled up, turning red. She felt as if her insides were being crushed into smithereens. After a while, she replied in a shaky voice, "You're actually right, Jameson. I have been thinking about you every second of the day. I'm thinking about how you're going to die." Jameson laughed. "You're so adorable, Lyse." Jameson's voice overflowed with affection. If they weren't on the phone, he'd wish he could let everything go and give her a kiss. "Even if you despise the person I am, I am still deeply in love with you. So deeply in love that I can't escape it." "Would a sinister and cold-blooded person like you even know what love is?" Alyssa's glare was sharp, a feeling of disgust surging within her. She enunciated, "Don't you taint such a holy feeling. You don't even deserve to mention anything about love!""I know how to love, Lyse. I will never feel like I've made any mistakes, even till I die." Jameson's croaky voice contained the pain that he had been holding bac
Amber was being held hostage by Carl as he retreated toward the back of the church in an attempt to escape. However, there was nowhere for him to run. The church was surrounded by the police on all sides. Carl was already at the end of his rope. He was at a dead end!"Stop resisting!" Carl snarled, tightening his grip on Amber. Her face paled as she struggled for breath, her lips turning purple.Amber rasped, "You can't escape. It's over for both you and Jameson.""Shut up!" Carl roared, his eyes bloodshot and body trembling violently.Unexpectedly, Amber burst into laughter, her eyes filled with delight and relief.With no other option, Carl dragged her up the ten-story old tower at the church's back. All exits were blocked, leaving them trapped. The only option was to call for backup. If a helicopter arrived, they might still escape with their lives.Carl called his trusted aides and subordinates, but none answered. It was as if they had all agreed upon this. "Fuck! They're
"But Carl is holding Ms. Altman hostage, and he has a gun in his hand. If his viciousness leads him to hurt her, things might not end well for Ms. Altman even if Axel shoots him dead on the spot!" Cyrus said as he watched the confrontation anxiously, his heart in his throat. "I've never seen Axel this frantic. He's always been fearless, confident, and carefree. I can tell he's truly in love with Ms. Altman.""Yeah," Jonah replied. He, too, had someone he loved. He could totally empathize with Axel. "Passionate love and composure are rarely compatible. The more you love, the more afraid of losing you become, and the less you know what to do.""So, what should we do now?" Cyrus asked, worry etched on his face.Jonah looked at the church balcony across the street. His eyes narrowed. "I believe justice will prevail, and he'll succeed."…After gathering flowers, Alyssa and Miley returned to the living room, arms linked. They began arranging the flowers in a vase."What's up with you,
Alyssa, with a fiery gaze, stared straight at the seemingly endless road ahead of her. She followed the GPS route and drove herself in the black car toward Rose Nursing Home. She had also switched her phone off per Jameson's instruction. She knew Miley would soon realize her absence from the presidential office and would undoubtedly launch a city-wide search. She would also track the location of her phone. Green flashes blurred past the window as she sped along. The steering wheel was gripped tightly in her hands, her brow furrowed in concentration.An hour later, her car glided to a stop in the flower-filled courtyard of the nursing home. Cautiously, Alyssa stepped out and surveyed her surroundings. To her surprise, the home seemed to operate normally. Cars belonging to visitors filled the courtyard, and people moved about with ease.Despite the appearance, Alyssa remained vigilant as she entered the building. The brightly lit hall was adorned with colorful paintings and vib
A flicker of emotion passed through Lily's vacant eyes as she heard Alyssa's soft voice. The instant their eyes locked, her clarity of mind seemed to return. Her gaze brightened and sparkled with life once more."Lyse… Lyse, you've finally come to see me! Jimmy said you would, and he was right. He wasn't lying." Alyssa's long lashes fluttered as she clenched her hands into fists. "Hi, Mrs. Schmidt. How have you been? How's your health?" "I'm good... I'm good. Seeing you makes me feel better." As Lily spoke, her body trembled slightly, as if she was a little cold. Alyssa removed her suit jacket and draped it over Lily's shoulders. "Come, Lyse. I have something for you." Lily eagerly grasped Alyssa's wrist. Without a word, she slipped an emerald bracelet onto Alyssa's hand."I can't accept this, Mrs. Schmidt!" The cool sensation on Alyssa's wrist made her uncomfortable. She wanted to remove the bracelet immediately, but Lily held her hand tightly."Lyse, Jimmy loves you
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