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
Today, after undergoing a full-body checkup, Jasper was cleared to return home for rest, having met the conditions for discharge. After lunch, Xavier brought a suit set over and helped Jasper change into it piece by piece. When it was time to tie his necktie, Xavier was naturally reminded of those countless sunny mornings when Alyssa tied Jasper's ties for him. Alyssa was good with her hands and knew how to tie Jasper's tie in all sorts of ways. Every time she finished, Jasper would wrap his arms around her waist, pulling her close before pressing a deep kiss against her lips.Xavier wondered if there would ever be a chance to witness that beautiful scene again. He was discontented. He uttered, "Um, Mr. Beckett…"Jasper was silent. He lowered his eyes slightly and stared at Xavier with a frosty gaze. Just as Xavier was about to muster up his courage to talk about Alyssa, someone in a white lab coat strutted into the room. "Mr. Jasper, you look rather good today." The sm
The snow was falling heavily, and the chilling winds howled through the night.Remy had no car, so he trudged through the snow alone, each step more exhausting than the last.His thoughts were consumed with Alyssa—was she still alive? In danger? And Jasper's unrelenting resolve to reach her, even after being shot and drenched in blood.Remy pressed his calloused, trembling hand to his chest. His heart hammered in his ribcage erratically.A sharp, searing pain shot through his temples, blurring his vision. He collapsed to his knees in the snow, his body racked with agony. The pain surged deep within him, and his eyes felt like they were going to burst from their sockets. It was unbearable.His breath came in ragged gasps. His hands scrambled for the necklace hanging from his neck—inside it was a hidden medicine box.Justin had told him that the medication in there could calm him down and relieve him of any pain. It would be able to save his life. But in his desperate haste, the
As subtle as Remy's expressions were, Jasper still noticed them. A slight twinkle flashed across his eyes. He did not have the time to continue entertaining Remy. He clenched his teeth, turned around, and started running toward Crater Mountain. Nevertheless, he had barely taken a few steps when gunshots were fired at his feet. Even so, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead and did not stop. Just then, another gunshot rang out. It wasn't until a bullet hit him in his right shoulder that the pain caused him to stumble. He almost fell to the ground but forced himself to stay on his feet. It was fortunate that he was shot in his right shoulder this time. After all, his left shoulder could not be injured any further. Otherwise, his left shoulder would be left in complete disability."If you take another step, the next shot will be in your left leg," Remy warned mockingly. Yet, his gaze was firm and fiery. "Jasper, I don't suppose you want to end up like your older brother, living in
A chill went down Jasper's spine. At that moment, staring down the barrel of the gun, one thought consumed him. It was the only thought that mattered—he had to stay alive to meet Alyssa!Jasper's mind raced. His gun was hidden under the driver's seat of his usual car, but today, he had taken a different sports car—one that wasn't equipped with a weapon. Panic gripped him for a split second before his instincts kicked in.The soldier within him stirred. Without warning, he jerked the steering wheel, ramming his car into Remy's.One of Remy's headlights was taken out and left rolling across the snow. All of a sudden, this prideful man was overwhelmed with anger. His eyes reddened with a strong sense of competitiveness, compelling him to pull the trigger. A shot rang out. The bullet sliced through the cold air, shattering Jasper's car window.From the very beginning, Remy hadn't intended to take Jasper's life. All Justin told him to do was to stop Jasper from meeting with Alys
"Jasper, you are such a jerk. If anything bad happens to Ms. Alyssa, you will surely regret it. You will live in regret your entire life!" Sean yelled. …The temperature tonight was -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The snowstorm in the woods on the mountain was getting stronger and stronger. The winds were freezing and bone-piercing as they blew against Alyssa's face. Trees swayed dramatically in the screeching winds, creating an inexplicable creepy atmosphere that added a feeling of desolation to Alyssa's sorrowful and depressive mood. She braved the bone-piercing winds and faced the heavy snowfall. With the help of her trekking pole, she plodded forward one step at a time. She did not have a destination in mind. She did not know where she was heading. Her heart had shattered, and she was beside herself. The decreasing temperatures discouraged her and made her lose all her motivation. For someone who had lost their willpower, being in the woods under extreme weather conditions wa
"Mr. Jasper, why do you say so?" Sheryl lifted her head and looked into Jasper's reddened eyes. She furrowed her brows and laughed out loud. "White Dove is from Solana City. This is also something that I wasn't able to predict. If I had known, I wouldn't have gotten you to make a trip here in vain, would I?" Sheryl was no longer that conniving bitch who used to act coy. Now, she had a powerful person backing her up. Jasper's violent rage did not scare her at all. "Why the hell didn't you say anything earlier?" Xavier marched forward furiously. He was even more inclined to serve her a slap. "Did you know that Mr. Beckett had an important date with Madam today? He only rushed her because of your stupid lead! Right now, you're telling us that White Dove isn't in Skydon but Solana City? What the heck are you scheming? Were you trying to ruin Mr. Beckett and Madam's date intentionally?" "Madam? Haven't Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa broken up? Is it right for you to be referring to her
The skies started to turn dark. Alyssa's dark hair was covered in a layer of snow. As she stood alone at the foot of the majestic mountain, she looked tiny, fragile, and desolate. "Ms. Alyssa, it's snowing. Heavy snowfall is forecasted tonight." Elias walked to Alyssa's side. Noticing the redness on her face due to the cold and the dull look in her eyes, he had a moment of realization. He couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness within him. "It's getting late. I suppose something came up for Mr. Beckett, and he's unable to make it." "Why didn't he inform me if that is the case?" Alyssa mumbled in a low voice as she gazed toward the darkness. She choked back on her tears so softly that her grievance couldn't really be heard through her voice. Elias slapped himself on his forehead. "Ah, perhaps you didn't manage to receive Mr. Beckett's message? The reception at the foot of the mountain isn't quite stable. You might have missed it. Would you like to come to my office? You'l
Jasper held his breath. It felt as if his legs had been chained together. He was unable to move. Looking at a stiff Jasper from behind, Xavier noticed his shoulders trembling slightly. An ominous feeling rose within him. "What did you say?" Jasper questioned. He sounded as if he was forcing himself to hold himself back from getting emotional. "Mr. Justin once mentioned that you were saved by a female doctor when you were badly wounded on the battlefield many years ago. I heard that you have been searching for her and that you've been grateful toward her." Jasper's back stiffened up. He narrowed his eyes and asked in a frosty voice, "This is a private matter. Why would Justin have told you about it?" "Mr. Justin mentioned it to me because I also used to work as a doctor in Luminara. He was hoping that I could help with finding that woman. "I finally have news on her whereabouts now. Mr. Jasper, don't you want to see the White Dove again? She was the person who gave her all t
That night, Alyssa stayed in the presidential suite of Solana City's KS World Hotel. She couldn't bring herself to return to her own manor—not yet. The lingering memories of her breakup with Jasper were still too raw, and the thought of revisiting their former home felt like reopening an unhealed wound.The following morning, she was awakened by a knock at the door. Groggily, she slipped on her night robe and opened it to find Sean standing there, carrying a complete set of brand-new hiking gear.Alyssa smiled. "Thank you, Sean." "Ms. Alyssa, it's freezing today. Are you sure you want to go hiking?" Sean walked into the living room and placed the items neatly on the couch. He still felt somewhat worried. "It's alright if it's cold, as long as the weather is good."Alyssa gazed out the window. The sun was shining brightly. The thought of going hiking with Jasper today made it impossible for her to conceal the sweet smile on her face and the delight in her eyes. She still love
Remy's eyes were bloodshot; his expression twisted with disgust as he stared at Sheryl. He could hardly fathom how someone so deranged and vile had once been close to Jasper. Even if Jasper and Alyssa had separated, Sheryl was nowhere near worthy of Jasper's side; she was not even fit to be the dirt on Alyssa's shoes.A sudden flash of memory struck him—the image of Alyssa during that traffic accident. He recalled her mustering all her strength to crawl out of her wrecked car, her face bloody, her body broken yet defiant. He had never seen such a fierce spirit in a woman before.His heart pounded uncontrollably, the memory triggering a sharp pain in his temples. Remy closed his eyes, gasping for breath.Sheryl broke into wild, unhinged laughter. Her entire body shook as she spat out her words, "Oh, Jasper, you poor, clueless fool!"If he ever discovers that the woman he's been tormenting all this time is actually his savior—the one he's been desperate to repay—that would be an eart