Newton walked shakily before Javier. He was so mad that his cheeks were trembling. "Let me say this today. As long as I'm here, no one can touch Alyssa. It will not end well for anyone who disrespects her!" Javier was boiling with so much anger that his chest hurt. "Dad! You're—""Moreover, Jasper has regained consciousness. This is all in the past now." The look in Newton's eyes was resolute, reflecting his stance in standing up for Alyssa. "If you ever lash your anger out at Alyssa in the future, don't call me 'Dad' again! You're an elder, using your authority to bully a young woman. How dare you!" Even though Newton did not slap Javier in the face in the end, the latter felt a burning sensation on his cheek, as if he had actually been slapped. "Hurry up, Alyssa. Go and see Jasper. Go," Newton urged warmly as he looked into Alyssa's swollen eyes. Sean encouraged her too. "Ms. Alyssa, haven't you been waiting for Mr. Jasper to wake up? I'm sure he really wants to see you to
Alyssa's eyes brimmed with tears as she stared in disbelief at her empty hands. Jasper had always been the one to hold her hand first during tender moments—whenever they kissed, embraced, or laced their fingers together, he would murmur in her ear, promising never to let go, no matter what. Yet now, with a chilling detachment, he was pulling away.The pain hit Alyssa as if her very soul was being torn apart.When Xavier saw this, he gaped in shock, and his face ran pale. No one knew better than him how much Jasper had loved Alyssa and how deeply connected they were before his coma. But now, despite not losing his memory, the Jasper who had awakened was unrecognizable. He treated Newton and Javier like before, except Alyssa, the woman he deeply loved, who was being treated with such coldness and detachment. "Grandpa, Dad." Jasper turned his indifferent gaze away from Alyssa's heartbroken face. In a deep voice, he said, "I'm tired. I'd like to get some sleep. Could you all plea
Justin seemed to embody every word that defined gentleness, composure, and grace. Despite his physical imperfections, he never gave up on himself or resented others.Even so, Alyssa felt an inexplicable sense of unease around him. Standing beside him left her feeling oppressed in a way she couldn't quite put into words."I'm fine, thank you." Alyssa raised her arm and wiped her tears with her sleeve. She remembered how she used to cry so freely, especially in front of Jasper. She'd ruin her entire image, sobbing into his shirt or tie. Unlike Justin, Jasper never offered her a handkerchief. He was more like a giant tissue—always there, letting her cry on him, no matter how disheveled it left him.Even so, he would still coax her tenderly and plant kisses on the tip of her reddened nose. He made space for her boundlessly. Justin smiled slightly. He stuffed his handkerchief back into his suit pocket. In a soft voice, he said, "Jasper has now regained consciousness. I heard that his
Alyssa had always been a greedy person. She didn't dare to allow herself to become idle. She called Cyrus. "Cyrus, have you and your people completed the autopsy for Jameson?" "We have. He had a heart attack, but according to the forensic pathologist, this type of heart attack didn't happen because of his own health reasons. Instead, it was triggered by some medication that was injected into him." The suspicion in Alyssa's heart grew. She lowered her voice. "When we were on Rose Island, Jameson had taken quite a number of random medications to keep himself alert. Even so, nothing bad actually happened to him. "After over half a month of being in the detention center, he hadn't been consuming medications or receiving injections. Yet, he actually dropped dead? Doesn't it sound strange to you?" Cyrus had his doubts too. "No matter how much we speculate, we don't have any solid evidence." "Other than myself, has he met with anyone else the past two days?" "Everyone in the Sch
Looking into each other's eyes, Alyssa's bloodshot eyes gradually filled with tears of agitation and sorrow. Jasper came out to see her. Did he know she had been watching him the whole time? Did that mean that deep within him, he still had feelings for her and that she was someone special to him? Alyssa's lips parted slightly. The tip of her nose was red. As she lay on her back and looked at Jasper, she mumbled in a miserable and coquettish voice, "Jasper… Jasper…" The look in Jasper's eyes darkened. He glanced at her silently for a while before asking in a hoarse voice, "What are you still doing here?" A huge drop of tear rolled from the corner of Alyssa's eye, reflecting how weak and fragile she was. She wanted to say something, but all that escaped her were sobs. She couldn't bring herself to say anything. Staring into her tear-filled eyes, Jasper frowned. "You woke me up because you kept talking." "I… I'm sorry…" she apologized to him while she sobbed.She used to
Alyssa wasn't a cowardly woman. Just as Jasper was about to pull her hand away, she gritted her teeth, bracing against the pain, and made her move.She pressed her body against his firm chest, her quivering lips seeking his, locking them in a deep, desperate kiss.Jasper's eyes widened. He stiffened up and fell into a daze, thanks to Alyssa's sudden and passionate move. He hadn't forgotten her. He remembered that they used to be lovers. However, those heart-fluttering memories were dispensable and meaningless to him. He could no longer find the love that he had for her. Yet, he didn't push her away.Noticing that Jasper wasn't moving, Alyssa became more daring. She knelt on the bed and cupped that well-sculpted face of his in her hands. She couldn't stop herself from kissing him, biting him, and reeling him in. In truth, they had learned about intimacy from one another. Jasper, especially, was a natural and fast learner. He was the one who discovered all her erogenous zones.
Alyssa didn't return to her manor in Solana City over the next three days. Not only was Rosie working there, but that place also contained too many memories of her relationship with Jasper. Simply stepping into the place made her heart feel like it was being torn. Alyssa didn't dare to return to Heightsnew Villa either. She didn't want Winston to worry or her family members to question her. Thus, she booked a room at KS World Hotel and just made do with that place for three nights. She had lost Jasper's love. Her heart was despondent, and she felt like a lost boat drifting out at sea. She no longer had a home. Jonah, Cyrus, and Sean found her at the hotel on the fourth day. With the curtains closed, Alyssa curled her small frame up under the covers and slept the day away. She didn't hear the knocks on her door at all. The three men were terrified to the point that they immediately called the supervisor over to open the door with the master key. There was complete silenc
Alyssa squinted through bleary eyes. After staring at Jonah briefly, she squirmed a little before closing her eyes again. "Either you forget Jasper or step up and make him fall for you all over again." Jonah's gaze was fiery, like twin flames dancing in his eyes. "Look at yourself right now. You're just wasting your life away right here!" "You're really noisy…" Alyssa mumbled, burying her head into the pillow. Her dark hair fanned out across the white sheets, making her seem all the more fragile. "Go away… Let me sleep."As her older brother, Jonah felt a mix of frustration and helplessness. His heart ached to see her like this. The key person involved had to be the one to solve the problem. Persuasion coming from anyone else was meaningless. Jasper was the only one who could help her with overcoming her troubles. "Ms. Alyssa, if you're hungry, you can get the chef at the hotel to whip something up for you. Is there anything you'd like to eat? Why must you have instant mac
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