At first, Jameson had no intention of touching her. His love for her was so profound that he couldn't bring himself to do it.He was well aware that this wedding was far from perfect, decent, or presentable. In fact, it was almost absurd. But the fact that she refused to even pretend or put on a show during his final days was unbearable.Alyssa watched as Jameson's chest was gradually exposed, a bead of sweat trailing down his sculpted abs, his skin flushed with a pink hue of arousal.Her eyes widened in terror, her face burning with embarrassment.It hurt. It hurt all over. Pain spread throughout her insides and to every nerve ending.Just as his hands reached to tear her nightgown, he caught a glint of cold steel in his peripheral vision. He held his breath. Somehow, Alyssa had gotten her hands on a sharp knife. She had positioned it right at his chest in the blink of an eye. She would be aiming at his heart if she moved it a little to the side. "Where did you get that f
The warm, early morning sun bathed Rose Island in golden light. The fine, white sand on the beach shimmered with a dazzling radiance. The bedroom Alyssa was in was as dark as night. Heavy, luxurious velvet curtains blocked out the sunlight completely.In such an atmosphere, someone exhausted from a night of struggle could easily sleep through the day. But Jameson woke up early.After a night of relentless nightmares, he was drenched in cold sweat, his face ashen. The moment he opened his eyes, he reached out frantically, his hands trembling.He exhaled in relief when he felt the warmth of Alyssa's body beside him. Then, he sat up in bed.The bed was a mess, not from lovemaking but from Alyssa's frenzied struggles the night before.At the very last moment, Jameson forced himself to suppress his urge to dominate her. He leaned weakly against the headboard, watching Alyssa's delicate face as she slept. His chapped, pale lips curled into a relieved and blissful smile.Slowly, he
Jameson looked exceptionally calm. He stared at Alyssa's sleeping face with a fiery gaze. "You can take Lyse away, but not right now." Remy's gaze turned cold. "How dare you go against Sir's orders?" "As I said—not right now." Jameson covered his mouth and let out a few deep coughs. As he lowered his hand, he quickly curled his fingers inward to hide the blood on his palm. "Love, hate, and all these grudges—Jasper and I have been at odds for so long. Today is the day to settle our scores. This is such a critical moment. How could Lyse not be by my side?"Remy furrowed his brows, his expression one of bewilderment as if he were facing a mad doomsayer. "What in the world are you going to do?" "I know that Sir has always had some feelings for Lyse. It was just that he wasn't willing to show it." Jameson stopped coughing. Slowly and elegantly, he buttoned up his shirt as if this were a regular morning. "But, even if Sir were to have Lyse, he'd just be like me—unable to win her
Remy's face was an immense shock to Axel and Jasper, a staggering sight that hit them with the force of a bombshell. Axel, in particular, stared in disbelief, a quiver in his voice as he cried out, "Damien! Damien, is that really you?"Remy, however, stared back with a cold, emotionless gaze, his eyes as still as a tranquil pond."Axel, calm down. Have a good look!" Jasper, though internally stunned, managed to steady himself. Having never met Damien alive and only seeing him in the Taylors' family photos, he was able to quickly calm down.With a tense jaw, he remarked, "Damien was reported dead in a plane crash. It's been years, and they never recovered his body. How could he still be alive?"This could be someone who merely resembles Damien, a ploy by Jameson to throw us off. Axel, keep your wits about you. Don't let yourself be fooled!"When Remy heard Jasper's words, he couldn't help but frown. Here was another one. No, there were two of them. That man named Damien truly
Jasper's jaw was clenched tight as he sprinted forward, the sharp branches of the path leaving angry scratches on his face. The pain barely registered as he pushed on. His legs were numb from the relentless pace, but he continued, sustained only by his determination to rescue Alyssa. His legs trembled under him when he finally reached the manor, and he stumbled slightly against the biting cold wind.Had it been someone else, they would have crumbled and been unable to stand up again.No one was keeping watch outside the manor. It was eerily quiet. Jasper took a steadying breath, his grip tightening on his gun. Each step on the white rock tiles felt heavy as he approached the door. With a calm yet wary demeanor, he pushed it open and entered.The luxurious living room was empty. Even so, Jasper's heart raced, sensing an unseen danger. He was as focused and tense as a volcano poised to erupt.His intuition, honed by experience and training, told him something was amiss. A glint c
Jameson erupted into laughter, the sound sharp and cruel. "Return her to you?" he jeered. "Jasper, Lyse was meant to be mine from the start. You took her from me, seized her so shamelessly. "Not only did you fail to appreciate her, but you also subjected her to pain and loss—made her lose her child and denied her the chance to be a mother forever."Jasper breathed heavily, as if strangled, his heart plummeting. It felt as if the bullet had created an irreparable void in his chest, with fresh blood pouring from the wound.He knew Jameson was trying to unsettle him, using psychological tactics to break him down. Jasper tried to steady himself, but the truth in Jameson's words stung.There was no refuge. The searing pain caused him to tremble, and the weight of regret in his heart only grew heavier."You nearly destroyed my most cherished rose," Jameson continued, his voice dripping with venom. "She was on the brink of withering because of you. Jasper, you don't deserve to be with L
Axel pressed on, "Do you have family? Do you know how to fly a plane?" Remy furrowed his brows, his fists tightening with each passing second as Axel's questions gnawed at his patience. This was a life-or-death situation, yet Axel still had time for all these pointless questions.He really was quite a sick man! Remy had initially intended to restrain Axel, but his frustration grew to the point where he felt he had to take out his anger physically. Thus, he escalated his attack with more ferocity, landing heavy blows with his fists and feet.Axel decided to test Remy, realizing there was no point in prolonging the confrontation. Even if someone lost their memory in an accident, their ingrained habits and instincts might remain intact.Suddenly, Axel's eyes darted to Remy's feet. "There's a snake! Watch out!"Remy's face drained of color, and he stumbled backward in shock. His icy demeanor shattered as fear overtook him."Damien… You are Damien. I'm sure you are!" Axel's eyes we
The two figures before Jasper's reddened eyes resembled a matching pair of bride and groom. This was the first time Jasper had ever seen Alyssa in a wedding dress. Though he had dreamed of this moment countless times, he never imagined he would see her like this.Her beauty was stunning, her pale complexion sharply contrasting with Jameson's elegant black attire. The scene felt hauntingly bleak, poignant, and fragile.With every step Jasper took toward them, the pain in his heart intensified. Fresh blood seeped from his wound, leaving a trail in his wake.At this moment, Alyssa looked like a porcelain doll, meticulously dressed and placed in a glass display for her beloved to admire.Jasper could see her, but he couldn't touch her.This should have been a joyous scene, but the atmosphere was cold, cruel, and bizarre."Lyse! I'm here!" Jasper's voice cracked as he called out to her, tears blurring his vision. "Wake up, Lyse! Wake up… Look at me!""Shh…" Jameson stood tall and
Jonah's gaze burned with a mix of longing, sorrow, and something deeply affectionate. The world swam back into focus as Julien looked at Jonah. Without preamble, he asked, "Are you new? How much do you charge per night?"Light-headed and grinning, Julien reached out a hand, his fingers brushing softly against Jonah's cheek. "You're pretty good-looking," he said, his voice slurred. Then his expression shifted. "Why do you… look so much like someone I hate with every fiber of my being?"Jonah's heart clenched. Even so, he slid his arms around Julien's waist. Trembling, he pulled Julien into his arms. "I'm new here. Could you help me meet my target tonight, Mr. Lovelace?"Julien's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Jonah. Jonah's eyes teared up as he held Julien's waist tightly. "I promise you won't be disappointed," he said, his voice deep. Watching from the shadows below the stage, Evan nearly gagged at Jonah's sultry tone. Was this really the Judas he knew? The man sounded downri
The bar was alive with striking lights and thundering music, and the air was thick with the scent of tobacco and alcohol. The atmosphere was one of moral decay—corrupt, degrading, and vile. "Where's Julien?" Jonah's voice cut through the noise, his tone icy and sharp. When Jonah stepped inside, the eyes of several men turned toward him, their gazes filled with illicit intent."Why, hello there. Are you here alone? Are you feeling lonely?" A sexy man sauntered over, draping himself over Jonah's shoulders. He let his hands linger with a playful squeeze. "If you're bored, I'd be happy to keep you company." Jonah's expression darkened. His hands trembled, veins bulging with barely contained rage. Suddenly, Evan burst through the crowd, his face twisting in alarm at the sight of Jonah surrounded by a swarm of predatory men. Evan yelled, "Don't touch him!" A heavy thump reverberated through the room. Gasps erupted as people scrambled back.The man who had draped himself over
Rafe stated, "But Beckett Group is in the middle of a storm right now. If I insisted on giving your corporation the project, my superiors would investigate me. I wouldn't be able to escape unscathed!""If you're investigated, I'll make sure you can still live a life of luxury—even if you lose your job." Justin's tone darkened. "But if you turn against me, you won't just suffer a few losses. You'll lose everything."Under the dim moonlight, Justin fiddled with his antique tea cup, his gaze narrowing. "You've worked so hard to get to where you are. Are you prepared to lose it all?"After ending the call, Justin turned to Remy, who stood quietly at the side. "Sheryl is still being detained. She can't be bailed out for another two days. I need someone to watch over the research lab. You'll handle that."Remy was taken aback. "I failed my last mission. Aren't you going to punish me?"Justin's smile was cold and insincere. "It wasn't your fault. You were ambushed. If not for that, I tru
Remy pursed his lips, bending down to pick up the fallen poker card. It was the King of Spades—an entry pass to Kings' Club. "My attacker was…" Remy's pupils constricted as he tightened his grip on the card. "It can only be that dear uncle of mine, always claiming to see me as his own son." Justin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "He's trying to get rid of my right-hand man, taking advantage of my internal feud with Jasper. Weakening me is just his first step toward gaining control over me."He's been a fugitive ever since his successful prison break, never returning to Cyrris after receiving his life sentence. His power base remains in Kontina. "I'm the last surviving Dutton. The Dutton Group, as a cover, has declared bankruptcy and severed all ties with the country. "My dear uncle has taken a huge risk just to target me. He sent his men to attack you in Solana City. What a delightful surprise. It seems he truly doesn't trust me, his only remaining family."Remy lowere
The hospital ward grew heavy with silence. Mandy and Neil stared at Alyssa, stunned beyond words. "M-Ms. Alyssa, you knew that man was Mr. Damien?" Neil asked, disbelief etched into his voice. "Yes." Alyssa's reply was quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "We found out when Cyrus took Damien's cigarette butt for a paternity test."Mandy approached Alyssa, her shoulders trembling slightly. "So, you and Cyrus knew… and you both kept it from me?" Mandy said, her voice catching in her throat, tears welling up. Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Mandy, I'm sorry. It was my decision. Cyrus had nothing to do with it."Mandy's tears fell freely now, her grief spilling out in raw sobs. "Do you know what it's been like for me all these years, thinking Damien was gone? Winston, Miley, Lyla, and Colene kept telling me to move on. I tried to accept that he was dead, that we'd never find his body. But I never did."Her vo
The hospital ward was bathed in a dim, yellow glow from the bedside lamp. The silence was thick, yet the room held a strange warmth—an unfamiliar comfort that felt oddly familiar to Remy.Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to sit up. His eyes fell on Mandy, who was asleep beside his bed. Her hair was a mess, and her swollen eyes suggested she'd been crying. She was sound asleep. Remy stiffened. His breath quickened as he stared at her fragile figure. Slowly, he leaned forward, his fingers lifting slightly, tempted to reach out.Just as his hand hovered close, Mandy's lashes fluttered. In her sleep, she murmured, "Damien… Damien… I miss you so much…" Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unbidden.A pang tugged at Remy's heart. Without thinking, he brushed away her tears with his calloused fingers. The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through him, sharp and electrifying. Pain throbbed at his temples, but beneath it was a warmth he didn't want to let g
Justin's casual question hit Javier like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through him, freezing his expression. His voice trembled with fear as he barked, "What nonsense is that? Are you accusing me of causing Chester's death? I'm your father—how could you think I'd do such a thing?""It's not an accusation. Just the facts," Justin replied coolly, crossing his legs and savoring his tea with unsettling calm. "And I'm not condemning you. In fact, I understand why you did it. I'm facing the same dilemma now."Javier's breathing grew ragged. He had watched Justin grow from a child into the man before him—now a predator, circling with quiet menace."You were meant to be the heir as the eldest son," Justin continued, his voice smooth as silk. "But Grandpa favored Uncle Chester, handing him major projects, grooming him in plain sight. "Uncle Chester's reputation soon eclipsed yours. He was a natural leader, adept at business, with one fatal flaw—he was kind. Too kind. Unlike you."Justin
Nonetheless, night had fallen by the time Justin arrived at Seaview Manor. On his way there, he worked on two things. First, he secured the top legal team to get Sheryl out on bail as quickly as possible. Second, he tried reaching Remy—unsuccessfully. He had never lost contact with Remy before. Justin's face was as dark as the night itself. The moment he stepped inside Seaview Manor, Rory approached with a solemn expression. He gave a slight bow before speaking. "Mr. Justin, what took you so long? Mr. Javier has been waiting.""I was occupied," Justin replied coolly. Then, as if it were an ordinary evening, he allowed a faint smile. "Where's Jasper? Is he back here yet?" A conflicted look came across Rory's face. "Things between you and Mr. Jasper have soured. I doubt he'll want to see you anytime soon—or show up here.""Is that so? How disappointing."Justin's smile didn't reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on Rory, sharp and bottomless. "So, he'd rather believe what he se
Jonah scoured every corner of the hotel, desperation clawing at his chest, but Julien was nowhere to be found. "Jonah!" Alyssa called out, breathless as she caught up to him. She grabbed his arm. "Calm down! I'll help you search for Jul!""I can't find him. He's gone," Jonah murmured, sinking to the floor. His tears mixed with sweat, creating dark patches on the ground. "Lyse… I fear… if I can't find Julien this time, I'll lose him forever."The agonizing thought of losing the love of his life pierced him. "No, you won't!" Alyssa gripped his arm tighter, her voice trembling with conviction. "If Jul had given up on you, he wouldn't have come here today. The fact that he showed up means he still cares."Jonah's eyes were bloodshot, filled with a pain too deep to hide. He shook his head slowly. "Julien came back for Jasper. He did it because he's loyal… because he's a good friend. Not because of me.""He does care!" Alyssa insisted. "If he didn't, he would've faced you without fli