Remy, tall and imposing, bent down to pluck a random rose. He tore off a petal, placed it in his mouth, and chewed thoughtfully. "Sir wouldn't take her like some wild animal," he mused. "He'd make Ms. Alyssa fall for him willingly, bit by bit."Jameson shuddered.Alyssa, on the other hand, didn't feel overly terrified. More than that, she felt curious and suspicious. She even considered that being abducted by this so-called Sir might be better than remaining Jameson's prisoner. At least with Sir, she could get closer to the heart of evil and consequently have the chance to unmask the mastermind and bring them to justice. By contrast, staying with Jameson left her feeling powerless. Despite his dignified, accomplished façade, he was nothing more than Sir's loyal watchdog.And with Remy's arrival, Alyssa sensed something big was coming. Whether they acted or not, Jameson's usefulness was at its end.…Night fell, and the sea's waves rose and fell with it.After years of living as
Due to Alyssa's ambush, Remy was caught off guard. His collar was ripped apart, revealing his broad, muscular shoulder.A birthmark! Damien had a light pink birthmark, about the size of a quarter, on the back of his left shoulder.But just as a spark of hope ignited in Alyssa's eyes, it was quickly extinguished. Remy had no birthmark on his left shoulder. Instead, through her tear-blurred vision, she saw a long, terrifying scar as wide as two fingers. The scar snaked down from his shoulder like a cruel serpent.As a surgeon who had served on battlefield rescue missions with Doctors Without Borders, the sight of such a severe scar made her blood run cold.With one look, she knew this wasn't just any ordinary knife wound. It looked more like a wound from an explosion, with skin stitched back together after devastating injuries.Could it be…Alyssa felt a sharp pain in her wrists, and her world spun. When she regained consciousness, Remy had pinned her to the couch, her wrists hel
With a soft click, Remy opened a hidden compartment in the necklace. In it was a black-colored pill. He took it out, put it in his mouth, and swallowed it. Alyssa's voice in his head gradually faded away.For over a year, he hadn't needed any medication to ease his headaches. He thought he'd never have to take it again.…Meanwhile, Jameson clutched a medical report in his study room. His handsome face was ashen, his sharp eyes bloodshot."Mr. Schmidt, your current health isn't looking good," his private physician hesitated, standing by his side. "The medical facilities on this island are limited. They might not be enough if your condition suddenly worsens. I suggest you go to a proper hospital soon, within this month. Treatment there might help ease your condition."Jameson's pale, chapped lips uttered, "Can vigorous treatment cure me?"The doctor looked down, hesitating."My disease is incurable, and I don't have long to live, do I?" Jameson forced a smile. A mix of emptin
As night fell, fierce winds swept over the pitch-black skies, pressing down heavily on the endless sea. The surging waves hinted at an impending storm, with all life rising and falling as though it could be consumed, crushed, and destroyed at any moment. Waves crashed against the beach on Rose Island.Alyssa didn't have time to change out of her fiery red dress before scrambling into the helicopter parked on the shore. Though she had regained some energy, her body remained weak. But she knew she couldn't afford to hesitate. Jameson hadn't come with her next tranquilizer shot tonight. This was her one chance to escape!The memory of flying a helicopter was faint, buried in the past, but she had to try. She had to fight with everything she had, even if it meant death.Alyssa slipped into the cockpit, her breath caught in her throat. The red dress she wore was soaked in cold sweat. She checked the fuel gauge, started the ignition, and the helicopter's blades began to rotate."Alys
Tears welled up in Alyssa's eyes as she clung desperately to Remy's shirt, wrinkling it in her grip. "I miss Dad and my brothers. I miss Jasper… Please let me go home… Okay? Please…"Remy listened in silence, his steps firm and unyielding, offering no response."Return Lyse to me!" Jameson, unaware of how he looked, chased after them frantically and blocked Remy's path, his eyes bloodshot with desperation."You haven't married Ms. Alyssa yet. Technically, she's not yours." Remy stared at Jameson's pale face, his gaze calm and unbothered. "And if I handed her to you, do you think you could carry her?"Jameson trembled, his weak body betraying him as he withdrew his shaking hands.Though Alyssa was physically and mentally drained, her mind was unusually clear after the recent shock. Remy's words hinted at something deeper. Was Jameson's body deteriorating to the point of collapse?The sea breeze was growing stronger, howling through the night.Remy continued walking, holding Alyss
"What's wrong, Jonah? Is something on your mind?" Seeing that they were alone, Jasper seized the chance to approach Jonah. His gaze was firm as he pressed on, "Did something happen when you were in the palace?"Everyone's overwhelmed by Lyse's situation. The psychological pressure on you must be just as intense, maybe even more than the rest of us."Jonah met Jasper's concerned gaze, feeling moved. "Jasper, I really appreciate you noticing how I'm feeling, even at a time like this." "Don't say that, Jonah. We're family. To me, you and Lyse are equally important." Since losing contact with Alyssa, Jasper had been restless, plagued by sleepless nights and a constant state of anxiety. Every shift in the moods of those around him only magnified his own stress, making him hypersensitive and on edge. "What really happened?""To be honest, not much." Jonah pursed his lips. "After entering the palace, I met the king. He was kind and friendly, giving me a personal tour. We even dined tog
What terrified Jasper even more was that the timeline of the hunt for Felicity perfectly aligned with the ages of Jonah and his four brothers.When too many coincidences occur, they might not be coincidences at all.Adding to the unease, Anthony had summoned Jonah—whom he had never met before—into the palace out of nowhere. He treated Jonah with unusual warmth, even gifting him a personal artifact."Jonah, when you met His Royal Highness at the palace, was Her Royal Highness there as well?" Jasper suddenly inquired.Jonah shook his head. "Nope. Her Royal Highness never showed up." "How about the prince?" "I heard the prince's health isn't good. A few years back, he could still attend meetings with political leaders, state visits, and charity events with His Royal Highness. But last year, he became bedridden. He had turned down all his duties to focus on recovery. I didn't get the chance to meet him."What kind of illness had kept him bedridden for two whole years? It had to be
With the royal family's approval, a massive search operation was launched.In the blink of an eye, another five days passed. The search parties scoured 20 islands of varying sizes, yet Alyssa remained elusive.Logically, if Jameson had intended to settle on an island, he would have brought ample manpower and supplies. The search shouldn't have been this difficult. But the reality was that the search and rescue mission proved far more challenging than anyone had anticipated.Adding to the difficulties, the recent weather at Kontina had been terrible. Stormy seas severely hampered the operation.On the fifth night, Miley brought some dishes into the room. Seeing Jasper's tired and bloodshot eyes, her heart wrenched. She urged, "Jasper, you can't keep exhausting yourself like this. Your body won't hold up! Please, have something to eat, even if it's just a small bite.""Thank you, Miley. Just leave it here. I'll eat in a bit," Jasper answered in a hoarse voice. Even so, he remained s
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
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,