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
"Jeremy and Miley have considered that possibility and blocked off Kontina's customs. Jameson is also a wanted criminal who is jointly pursued by two countries. There's no way he can leave Kontina." Jasper placed the brooch on his chest. He forced himself to hold back the immense hurt and make a rational judgment. "He's definitely hiding in Kontina. He's accustomed to luxury and power, and his pride won't let him live like a fugitive. He'll stay where he's familiar and where resources are useful."Cyrus was impressed. He almost wanted to applaud Jasper but knew it wasn't the right time.Despite his acute headaches, Jasper remained sharp, making sound judgments. Those around him couldn't help but feel for him."Jasper's analysis is spot-on but presents a huge problem." The look on Jonah's face was grim and drawn. "At the end of it all, all Jameson wants is Lyse. Now that he's achieved his goal, he might devise a heinous strategy to constrain Lyse physically and hide her away fo
Jameson held Alyssa in his arms, the woman he had sacrificed everything for, as if she was the most precious thing in the world. His clammy hands pressed her tightly against his chest, as though he wished their souls could merge."Jameson… You bastard… Let go of me…" Alyssa choked out, her bloodshot eyes brimming with tears. Despite her rage, a vulnerable air clung to her, evoking pity. Her fragile beauty only heightened Jameson's desire. "Lyse, when you look like this… it only makes me want you more." Sweat slid down his temple, his back quivering as he fought to control himself.Alyssa could feel his fiery, heavy breaths near her ear, filled with lust."Asshole…" Without any strength in her, Alyssa could only allow him to hold her in his arms as tears of hatred welled up in her eyes. Once so proud, Alyssa Taylor was now entirely at the mercy of her most despised enemy. The helplessness and despair were worse than death."Don't be afraid," Jameson whispered, running his fing
"Neither has Jasper proposed to you nor have you both had your wedding. It didn't happen three years ago and still hasn't happened. He didn't even put a decent-enough diamond ring on you. "Everything is just as it is. Doesn't he feel ashamed to call himself your husband? How ridiculous." Jameson gently lifted Alyssa's hand, lowered his gaze, and kissed its back before slipping a brilliant pear-shaped pink diamond onto her finger.Alyssa wished she could tear it off and throw it into the sea. But she couldn't move. Jameson handled her as he pleased."Jasper is weak, always second-guessing. He had you, but he was afraid of everything. He doesn't deserve you."He pressed the hand wearing the ring against his chest, his eyes burning with passion. "I'll give you everything he couldn't. We'll have a romantic island wedding here on Rose Island. The creatures and the birds will be our witnesses. "I have a huge field of roses here. I will pick the freshest and most beautiful at dawn fo
A cold glint flickered in Jameson's eyes, masking the savage fury unleashed by the pain and desperation as his wound was torn open."Lyse… I know you despise me, but you can't slander me like this…" "I slandered you? Jameson, you've really gone off the deep end. You dared to do such a thing but don't have the guts to admit to it?" Alyssa stared straight at his pale and gloomy face. There wasn't any fear within her, only a heart-wrenching resentment. "Mrs. Schmidt looked like she was having an episode because of what I said, but I already felt something was off when she was seizing and foaming at the mouth. "In the past, you've said that your mother's heart was weak. But when I checked on her eyes and pulse at the time, she wasn't presenting with symptoms of a heart attack, let alone a seizure. "Subsequently, red spots started to form on her skin. Pairing all that with the way you're reacting right now, I have reason to believe that you injected Mrs. Schmidt with some poisonous
Even though Axel barely showed any emotion on his face, Amber knew he was on the verge of breaking down. One word from her—a futile attempt at comfort—and his carefully held emotions would explode."Jonah… Jasper…"The moment Axel laid eyes on his family, his body trembled. His strong, unyielding façade crumbled as tears finally broke free."Don't cry, Axel." Jonah went up and embraced Axel. He patted his back lightly. "Crying wouldn't solve any of our problems. The most important thing now is to rescue Lyse." "It was all my fault… It was all my fucking fault!" Axel gave himself a hard slap. "I was the one who neglected Lyse… I was the one who lost her. I deserve to die." "Axel, it had nothing to do with you." Jasper walked over slowly, his footsteps heavy, eyes bloodshot and sunken. "I'm the one to blame. "I'm Lyse's partner, and I've sworn to all of you that I'd protect her… Yet, I've messed everything up. I'm sorry." He had messed it all up. He'd spoken similar ones bef
"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
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa