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 swans extended their wings, abruptly sending ripples across the lake's surface. Lily's gaunt face tightened. Her reddened eyes widened as she stared at Alyssa's unwavering expression. "You're already married? You have a husband? When was this? How could this be?" "There's no need for me to lie to you, Mrs. Schmidt. It's true," Alyssa replied, trying to maintain a warm tone without faltering. "My husband and I have known each other for over ten years. I've loved him since I was young. I was simply waiting for the day I could become his wife. "We've faced countless challenges together. My dream has finally come true—we're finally together. I'll never love another man. I'm sorry to disappoint you.""That's impossible… It's impossible!" Lily's emotions surged. Her grip on Alyssa's hand tightened until it turned red. "You grew up with my Jimmy. You're so kind to him, and he loves you. He only wants to marry you."Jimmy has told me about you both but never mentioned you were marr
Lily let out a muffled cry. Her eyes rolled back in her head, her fingers twitched, and foam began to form at her mouth. Alyssa held her breath. It looked like an epileptic seizure or a stroke. Overwhelmed with remorse, Alyssa realized her sharp words had triggered Lily's breakdown and subsequent illness. If anything happened to Lily because of her, the weight of regret and self-blame would be unbearable. It would haunt her forever.Alyssa immediately called for a caregiver. However, the doctor in the nursing home's infirmary lacked expertise. All they could do was call for an ambulance."Oh, dear heavens… What should we do?" Watching Lily have such a painful episode pushed the caregiver to tears. "Even with an ambulance, the nursing home is too far from the hospital. She won't make it in time!""Call for an air ambulance." Sweat formed on Alyssa's forehead. Determinedly, she declared, "I'll do my best to buy time, so she can get to the hospital in time."The caregiver tasked s
The rooftop air was so thick it felt stagnant. Overwhelming pressure and fear made Carl tremble. Even his gun-holding hand shook uncontrollably.He hesitated to disengage the safety, fearing a panicked misfire. Even now, with no way out, he had never thought of taking Amber's life. As long as there was a sliver of hope, he wanted to take Amber away with him.Tragedy was imminent, and he knew it was now every man for himself. Jameson no longer cared about him. At a crucial juncture, Jameson would even sell him out.Thus, he had prepared himself beforehand. He was confident in his wits and ability to escape unpunished to a faraway land.Amber had brought him to this state. He wanted to give the woman he loved a wedding—a beautiful beginning. Even a rat in the sewers craves the sun for a moment.So, he wanted Amber to live. He had to keep her alive. Otherwise, all he had invested would turn to dust!Suddenly, Amber burst out laughing. Her reddened eyes were alluring. In a shaky
Carl's eyes blazed with feral intensity. A monstrous grin twisted his face as he laughed and cried simultaneously, lost in a manic frenzy. "Very well then... Let's die together," he declared."All you've done is because you want to be with Axel as an unlawful couple." Carl chuckled. "But don't you ever dare dream of having your wish come true!" Carl held Amber in a chokehold as he retreated toward the edge of the roof step by step. At last, he planted a cold and moist kiss on Amber's cheek, accompanied by a drop of bitter tear. "Amber, if we can't be together when we're alive, let's be husband and wife when we get to the afterlife." In the next second, Amber's heart dropped as she fell backward weightlessly. "Amber!" Axel cried out. At lightning speed, he charged toward Amber. Simultaneously, a whoosh sounded from the church rooftop. A sharp crack followed a piercing sound that tore through the air from over 300 feet away.As Amber was dragged toward the roof's edge with th
The intense confrontation had finally ended. Despite the grave danger, everyone escaped unharmed.The sole exception was Carl, a key member of Jameson’s team, who was fatally shot. His death marked the complete downfall of Jameson’s reign of terror, which had lasted nearly a decade.Now, the only task remaining was to bring that viper, Jameson, to justice.Axel accompanied Amber to the hospital. Police secured the crime scene, keeping reporters at bay.Jasper exited the church and reconvened with Jonah and Cyrus. "That was such a dangerous situation. Thank goodness you were here this time, Jasper!" Cyrus approached him immediately. Feeling extremely moved, he gave Jasper a bear hug. "Thank you, Jasper." Jonah, too, shot him a smile of admiration and gratitude. Jasper lifted his hand and wiped the sweat off his forehead."I didn't do much. If it wasn't for Axel's agility in going up and grabbing onto Amber in time, she might've ended up falling to her death." His gaze was fie
Jonah placed his hand firmly on Jasper's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "The presidential office and royal palace are the safest places in all of Kontina. Plus, Lyse is together with Miley. If anything happened to Lyse, Miley would've already called us. Don't worry too much." Despite his words, Jonah felt a growing unease. As Alyssa's eldest brother, he cared deeply for her.Cyrus immediately called Miley. His expression hardened. "This isn't good. Miley isn't answering," he said grimly.In an instant, the faces of all three men turned grim. Jasper, Jonah and Cyrus raced back to the presidential office.The moment they entered the courtyard, they sensed something was off. The guards who were supposed to be standing outside the doors had disappeared."Miley!" "Lyse!" They called out as they ran into the living room. Their jaws dropped at the sight before them.Miley was curled up on the couch, her hands covering her face. She looked like she was in pain, her shoulders slig