A mysterious manor sat at the top of a mountain in Kontina. The green scenery around it was enchanting. In a dimly lit bedroom, a calm and soothing incense burned quietly in an antique burner. White smoke drifted through the air, dispelling all traces of unease, restlessness, and noise from the room.Alyssa lay still on the soft, spacious bed, a peaceful expression on her face as she slept. She was still dressed in her pure and elegant wedding gown, looking so delicate and ethereal that she seemed untouchable—more enchanting than even Sleeping Beauty herself.In the shadows, a tall man sat in a wheelchair, his back to the light, silently watching Alyssa."Sir, I've examined her thoroughly and confirmed that she has no external injuries," Sheryl reported. Despite her limited surgical training, she had the skill to conduct basic examinations. "Her blood test is also complete. There are traces of tranquilizers and sedatives, but nothing harmful to her health."A hint of sarcasm crep
Jameson was arrested on the spot by the Kontinian authorities. They also found massive amounts of drugs and firearms on Rose Island. At the same time, that beautiful rose garden was proven by the relevant authorities to have been used for planting poppies in the past. The news of Jameson's arrest spread like wildfire throughout Kontina. Cyrris also caught wind of this news, which made headlines and became a trending topic. The media was flooded with comments from Kontinian citizens, all echoing the same sentiment—overjoyed and relieved. It was as if Christmas had come early.The evil influence of the Schmidt Group had once seemed like an impenetrable web, shadowing all of Kontina's skies. Jameson had maintained the guise of a charitable businessman, but countless people had suffered under his power, oppression, and violations. It was just that no one had dared speak out before, harboring their resentment in silence. Now, with this cancerous blight finally being cut out, th
Alyssa was unaware that three days had passed since that day she resisted Jameson on the bed with all her might. After being unconscious for three days and nights, she finally woke up, weak and disoriented, in a hospital bed."Lyse is awake… Lyse is awake!" Having not slept or eaten properly for three days, Miley was so excited that she burst out in tears. Alyssa's family members, who had been waiting outside, flooded the room instantly and surrounded her. "Jonah… Axel… Miley…"Alyssa's half-open eyes struggled to focus. She forced herself to look at the familiar faces surrounding her."That's great… That's great. Lyse remembers us!" Miley held tightly onto Alyssa's cold hands. In the end, she still couldn't stop herself from crying tears of joy. Even though Jeremy had brought in the country's top specialist to examine Alyssa, the doctors had worried about the long-term effects of her extended unconsciousness. Thankfully, she had woken up, allowing everyone's tense emotions to
"Lyse, calm down. Listen to me!" Jonah felt a sharp pain in his chest, emotions swirling inside him. He knew he couldn't keep the truth from Alyssa but had to explain it in a way that didn't make things seem worse than they were."Jasper got hurt fighting Jameson on Rose Island. He's been unconscious since then. But don't worry, aside from being shot in the left shoulder, he has no other external injuries, and his internal organs are fine.""Left shoulder… again?" Alyssa's eyes brimmed with tears. Her heart ached for him. "Back on Shelland Island, Jasper hurt his left shoulder saving me. Now, he's been shot there again? His left shoulder will be ruined for life!"A tear rolled down her cheek as if the bullet had pierced her heart too."Don't worry, Lyse," Miley said quickly. "Jeremy and I found the best surgeon in Kontina to remove the bullet and operate. Jasper's arm will be fine. He might have some pain, but it won't stop him from living normally.""If it's just an external in
"Julien, what did you find?" Jonah approached Julien quickly, wrapping an arm around his waist and gently caressing him. With his other hand, he pulled the CT scan from Julien's grasp.Julien narrowed his eyes slightly. "Do you know how to read it?" Jonah was honest. He answered in a deep voice, "I don't. Please enlighten me, darling." Julien pouted, giving Jonah a playful jab in his firm abdomen with his finger.He knew Jonah's heart was heavy, and he wasn't in the mood to flirt. Regardless, Julien just wanted to lift his spirits after all the exhaustion. Julien had been tirelessly thinking of ways to help Jasper since the moment he stepped onto Kontinian soil."Jul…" Alyssa turned her head to look at Julien. With her eyes filled with tears, she looked extremely pitiful. "Lyse, I'm here with you too." Julien's chest tightened. He smiled. With a gleam in his eyes, he said warmly, "Don't be afraid. With me here, Jasper will definitely wake up." Alyssa nodded firmly. Eve
Ever since Alyssa woke, she had hardly left Jasper's side, forsaking sleep and rest with no regard for her own health.Three more days dragged by, though for her, it felt like months—years—decades.The time that passed was agonizing. This wasn't the first time Jasper had been hurt because of her. She had been through the fear and panic before, when his life hung by a thread or when he lay in a deep coma. Yet, this time was different. For reasons she couldn't understand, the calm and rationality she once had had vanished.She gripped his hand tightly, her fingers woven with his. Fear surged through her like an avalanche, threatening to drown her from the inside.This was a fear that she had never felt. That intense helplessness tormented her mentally every second of the day.In just one week, Alyssa, once proud and radiant, had withered like a pale white rose. She was gaunt, fragile, and exhausted. Her hospital gown looked so big on her emaciated frame that it looked like it
"Wake up and comfort me again," Alyssa thought, her mind pleading. Please. As she was sobbing, the door to the hospital ward was pushed open slowly. Landon walked in carrying a bowl of soup. When he saw the scene before his eyes, he froze on the spot and fell into a daze. His hands started trembling uncontrollably while he carried the bowl of soup. As a tall and strong man, his heart had long been filled with Lauren's love. A scene like this moved him, and he felt a sudden urge to cry.He waited until Alyssa's sobs died down. Then, he calmed himself down and walked to her side slowly. "Lyse, have something to eat. I brought some fish chowder. I remember that you like this, so I made some for you myself." Alyssa was silent for a long time. Landon peered to the side and noticed that her breakfast was still on the bedside table, untouched. He couldn't explain the heaviness and misery he felt in his heart. "Landon… I'm sure you really hate me, don't you?" Alyssa sat there
In the blink of an eye, Jasper had been gone for an entire month. As the president of Beckett Group and someone with such status and power, he disappeared just like that. Only Xavier was left to assist him with attending to urgent matters at the corporation. Even so, there were still a number of documents that had to be approved by Jasper personally. "The troops" were in a mess while the documents for "the king" had piled up as high as a mountain. In the end, the truth could not be hidden. Newton and Javier were finally alerted. Jasper had a close call with death and ended up severely injured in Kontina. He ended up in a deep coma for an entire week. As his grandfather and father, they couldn't believe that they had only just found out about this news. Their anger over being kept in the dark came like a bolt of lightning. Even as someone who used to be a powerful business leader, they almost couldn't take the news. After Newton found out about it, he was sent to a hospital
Amber's eyes reddened as she darted toward the trapdoor in The Millennium, tears streaming down her face.Remy had let her go. He actually spared her! Didn't this prove that he was Damien? That his true nature lingered, even if his memories of the past had been lost?Hope and excitement bubbled within her as she ran. She had to reach Alyssa immediately and share this evidence—this incredible news!Emerging from the trapdoor, Amber navigated the tangled paths among the weeds on the mountain behind The Millennium.Suddenly, she froze. Her breath hitched. Beams of white light shone from all directions, focusing on her. The cold, unyielding spotlights told her everything—she was surrounded, the target of an ambush. Amber's heart pounded in her chest. Cold sweat slicked her palms as her fingers clenched tightly around her dagger. The veins on the back of her hand throbbed with adrenaline.Six assassins in black emerged from the shadows, their flashlights cutting through the gl
Amber glared at Remy through her bloodshot eyes, thrusting her gleaming blade toward his chest. In her early days of being Jameson's follower, the first lesson drilled into her was how to kill quickly and efficiently. Refinement wasn't necessary—only results mattered. Yet, despite mastering the techniques, she had never put them into practice. Deep down, Amber feared the sight of blood and loathed the idea of taking a life.And now, of all people, it was Remy forcing her to cross that line.The blade's tip hovered mere inches from Remy's heart when hesitation gripped her. Axel's voice echoed in her mind, raw with emotion. "Amber, I keep feeling that Remy is my fifth brother, Damien. We miss him… We want him to come home!"Her pupils dilated. The blade wavered, its deadly intent dissipating.That single moment of doubt was all Remy needed. With a calm, calculated motion, he seized her wrist and twisted it sharply.Amber gasped in pain, her grip faltering as the blade clattered
The password to Jameson's room was Alyssa's birthday. Jameson had always believed himself to be a devoted man, taking pride in that notion. Yet, in Amber's eyes, his devotion was nothing more than a pathetic joke—a sentiment she couldn't help but detest.Taking a steadying breath, Amber began rummaging through the drawers and shelves with swift precision.Years of observation had taught her that Jameson had hidden several secret compartments in this room, places meant to conceal vital information. Unless Jameson or Carl disclosed their existence, even the police might not have uncovered them.After what felt like an eternity, sweat beading on her forehead, Amber discovered a hidden compartment beneath a floor sculpture.As she pried the brick loose, her breath hitched. Inside the compartment lay a waterproof plastic bag containing a document and a USB drive.Amber retrieved the document. Her heart raced as she realized its contents—a research report from Mosgravia's RC Biotech
Ever since getting together with Axel, Amber had lived each day in bliss. Yet, when Winston assured her that he truly accepted her and approved of her marriage to Axel, that bliss reached its peak. For so long, Amber had struggled with feelings of inferiority, never truly believing she deserved Axel's love. Deep down, she had resolved to step away if Winston disapproved or insisted Axel marry a woman from a reputable family—a match more fitting of his status.She wouldn't have hesitated to leave if it meant sparing Winston and Axel any conflict. Amber loved Axel wholeheartedly and was willing to sacrifice everything for him.But instead of rejection, she found warmth. The Taylor family embraced her as one of their own, showing her kindness and understanding rather than disdain for her past.She could never repay such compassion. "Winston… Thank you. Thank you…" Amber's tear-filled eyes glistened, their brightness undimmed despite all the darkness she had endured. Winston s
Amber stifled a laugh and teased, "Stop talking, Mr. Whitaker. You're going to sound like a broken record if you keep going." …After breakfast and a quick packing session, Axel departed from Heightsnew Villa. Amber spent her day helping the Taylors with various tasks. She assisted Mandy in organizing documents for Lovelace Group's projects, helped Lyla with cooking, and even joined Colene in feeding her horse. With Tatiana's due date approaching, Amber also pitched in for her shower preparations.Amber had always been a diligent person, but today, she seemed particularly intent on keeping herself busy. She was counting down the hours until nightfall. After dinner, the Taylors sat in the living room and chatted casually as they always did. The warm, familial atmosphere filled the space, and Amber joined in, her perceptive nature making her a seamless part of the group.When everyone retired to their rooms, Amber rose to help the helpers clear the table. "Amber." Startled
Axel and Amber had only spent half a month together before the former was called back to report for work. The night before his departure, they spent hours lost in each other, their passion unrelenting. Again and again, they exchanged kisses, their love pouring forth in an endless tide."Amber, three months… Just give me three more months." When their fervor finally waned, Axel held Amber close in his arms. They rested against the headboard, leaning into one another, too exhausted to move yet unwilling to let sleep claim them."Once I finish all the missions I've taken on, I'll hand in my resignation. After that, I'll spend all my time with you," Axel murmured, his voice steady with resolve. "We'll go wherever you want. If you want fun, I'll have fun with you. If you want chaos, I'll spend my life going crazy with you."Axel wasn't one for flowery words. He simply spoke from the heart. Right now, his heart only wanted Amber—forever.Amber nestled closer, her soft smile masking t
"Sir." Sheryl immediately stood and greeted Justin respectfully as he entered the room. "What are you doing here?" Justin's cold gaze swept over her as he strolled leisurely to the couch and sat down.Sheryl quickly explained, "I received a parcel for you from the administrative secretary half an hour ago. I thought it might be something important, something you wouldn't want too many people to handle. So, I waited for you to return and open it personally.""A parcel?" Justin frowned. Why would anyone send him a parcel to Beckett Group, of all places? How strange. Sheryl presented the parcel to him with both hands. He took it from her and then opened it right before her. After removing three layers of wrapping, each from outside and inside the box, the parcel turned out to contain only a plain white envelope. His expression darkened. It felt like someone was toying with him.Then, he looked down and opened the envelope, which contained a stack of photographs. Pinching a co
"Don't be so pessimistic, Jonah," Alyssa said. Perhaps having just seen Jasper and going through that heart-stopping moment made Alyssa emotional. Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, "If you truly love someone, you don't need to possess him to find happiness. Isn't it enough to know he's alive, well, and living freely somewhere in this world?""You're right, Lyse." Sorrow filled Jonah's voice as he smiled bitterly. "Julien has already lost and sacrificed too much for my sake. I don't deserve to have such a good man. He'll only find true happiness by leaving me."…After Justin took over as president of Beckett Group, his first move was to wrest control of the A5 Project bid from Jasper's hands.Though Jasper had failed as the leader of Beckett Group, as the eldest son, it was only natural for Justin to inherit the position of power. Justin was aware of lingering opposition within the corporation. Some doubted whether he possessed the decisiveness and singular capabili
Sebastian understood what Alyssa wanted. There wasn't substantial proof to prove that Jasper had abused drugs in the first place. The substance found in his blood was simply supporting evidence. As long as they found the right opportunity to reveal that, it wouldn't completely exonerate him, but it could at least divert public suspicion."Okay, okay… I'll do that. I'll do everything you say!" Sebastian promised. …After emerging from the Bender residence, Landon took Zayne away to keep him under close watch and ensure Sebastian wouldn't retract his statement. Landon planned to release him only after Sebastian fulfilled Jasper and Alyssa's request."Landon, it's really nice to see you. How's Lauren doing lately?" Afraid of looking at Jasper, Alyssa had no choice but to speak with Landon."She's doing great." A tender look came across Landon's eyes at the mention of Lauren. Landon blushed and continued, "We're now trying for a baby." "Really? That's wonderful!" Alyssa was