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
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"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