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
The heavy atmosphere in the living could almost crush everyone to death. Even the air felt as cold as ice."Calm down, Jasper!" Jonah was extremely panicked over losing contact with Alyssa. However, as the oldest of the Taylor siblings, he could only force himself to remain composed. He went up to Jasper and helped to support him physically.Jonah quickly added, "Don't lose your head. None of us should. We need to figure out where Lyse might have gone and find her quickly."Cyrus's chest tightened, but he managed a reassuring tone. "Jonah's right, Jasper. Don't panic. We're all here—""You all have your loved ones safe and sound, but my Lyse has vanished!" Jasper's eyes were a terrifying shade of bloodshot as he roared in anguish, "Lyse is my heart, as precious to me as my own life.""If anything happens to her… If anything happens to her…" Jasper's voice faltered, and he was cut off by a sudden, searing pain that struck his head. The world darkened before him, and his powerful fr
"By the looks of it, Lyse left because of that phone call," Cyrus deduced, his investigative instincts kicking in. He frowned thoughtfully. "But it's unusual for Lyse to act so impulsively. Even if she had to leave the presidential office, she would at least consult with Miley before making such a decision.""So, the person on the other end must have had significant influence over her. They must have said something so compelling that she felt she had no choice but to comply," he reasoned."That's odd." The more Jonah thought about it, the more astonished and flustered he felt. "Jameson and his team are all in Kontina, and all the major threats are here. We were at the church, Miley was at the presidential office, and Jeremy returned safely from his event. Besides ensuring the safety of a loved one, what else could have driven Lyse to risk so much and accept that person's invitation?""It was… Jameson!" Jasper exclaimed, his face ashen. "With Carl dead and Amber saved by Axel, Jameso
A terrifying silence hung over the other end of the call. Sweat beaded on Jameson's temples as his heart pounded anxiously."Congratulations, Mr. Schmidt. Your wish came true, and you've finally gotten your woman," Justin's unmistakable voice came through, crisp and laced with amusement. "I need to thank you for coming up with this plan for me and making all of this happen. Otherwise, I wouldn't have Lyse come to me so easily."Jameson's deep eyes burned with passion. His voice, however, was rough and full of regret as he continued, "But I'm afraid I can never return to Solana City. "I'm sorry, Mr. Justin. I couldn't clear the path for you or eliminate your opponent. Even the experiment on the new drug had to be halted. I deserve to die." "Indeed, you do deserve to die." Justin's voice dropped, deep and cold. The words wrapped around Jameson like a chokehold. Suffocation crept in, cold sweat running down his stiffened back."But you've managed to take the love of my brother
It had been 15 hours since Alyssa vanished after leaving the presidential office. Jeremy mobilized multiple teams for the search using every bit of his authority. Joined by Jasper, Cyrus, and Jonah, he stormed Rose Nursing Home, Alyssa's last known location.Their arrival broke the silence of the nursing home.Miley, despite her insistence, was stopped by Jonah from joining them, given the high profiles of both her and Jeremy.Meanwhile, Axel had finally reunited with Amber after countless trials. He stayed by her side at the hospital, where she remained hospitalized. Jonah and Cyrus choose to keep him in the dark about Alyssa, unwilling to rob him of the bliss he had fought so hard to achieve.Outside the nursing home, the head of security and the Criminal Investigation Unit had sealed the building. No one could enter or leave.Alerted by the commotion, the on-duty security guard and the nursing home's administrator arrived, stunned by the sight before them.Cyrus, using his t
The security guard spoke up anxiously, "Mr. Schmidt didn't only purchase this nursing home when it was about to close. He spent a fortune rebuilding it, took in elderly people abandoned by their children, gave them shelter, and provided free medical care. He's also incredibly kind to us staff, even buying us insurance!"Mr. Schmidt is a true philanthropist with a heart of gold. How can you call him a heartless monster? Don't run your mouths like that!" Jonah and Cyrus were extremely shocked. The Jameson these people described was completely different from the one they knew. It was as if he had a split personality.But Jasper knew better. Being respectable and kind was just part of the well-crafted façade Jameson hid his dark soul behind."When that woman came by this afternoon, what did you talk about?" Jonah asked coldly."Mr. Schmidt warned us before," the caregiver stammered. "He told all of us that if that pretty woman showed up, we were to take her to see his mother."The m
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