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 room was silent. Sheryl heard the name "Lyse" clearly. Alarm bells started ringing in her head. Didn't Justin warn that this type of medication could interfere with a person's emotional processing? It was meant to erase all traces of Jasper's passionate devotion to Alyssa so he would never yearn for the woman he once loved. So why would he mention Alyssa's name now?Jasper stared at his reflection in the mirror, surprised to see himself standing there alone. He had convinced himself he didn't need anyone else in his life. Yet, for some strange reason, the moment he said "Lyse", it felt as if a hole had formed in his heart. An echo reverberated through that void, one he couldn't ignore.He didn't realize that her name echoed because he couldn't forget her.While Jasper stood lost in thought, soft hands suddenly glided across his broad shoulders and around his neck. A light fragrance drifted to his nose.Looking down, he met Sheryl's eyes, filled with tenderness. The intens
Sheryl took a deep breath. Maintaining that same gentle posture of hers, she said, "Dr. Lovelace, you're mistaken. I was just helping Mr. Jasper with his tie. I'm afraid you're being overly sensitive and making a mountain out of a molehill." "He can do it himself. Or, if not, he has Mr. Hall. Why would it even concern you?" Human attraction was fascinating. Julien's initial impression of Sheryl was unfavorable—he found her insincere. Furthermore, he had heard from Jonah about the Beckett family dynamics. Justin and Jasper, born of different mothers, had a strained relationship. Given Sheryl's allegiance to Justin, Julien became increasingly wary of her."Dr. Lovelace, I've set things straight with Ms. Alyssa." Jasper pursed his lips so tightly that they turned pale. In a deep voice, he clarified, "We have gone our separate ways." A shocked expression came across Julien's face. He stumbled a step backward. "What did you say?" Stepping aside with a seemingly calm look, Sheryl
Initially, Julien had suppressed his emotions the best he could. Yet, the moment he heard Jonah's rich-sounding voice, he broke down. "I can't take it anymore… I feel really bad for Lyse!""Don't cry, my love." Jonah quickly comforted Julien in a warm, slightly throaty voice, "I know you care for Lyse. So do we. Don't worry. She had acute bleeding in her stomach, but she's already awake now. "According to the doctor, it was caused by her irregular eating habits on top of being too heartbroken and consuming too much alcohol. Moreover, Lyse already suffers from gastritis. It's a condition that she developed as a result of having irregular meals when she used to work as a medic on the battlefield." Julien was astounded. "Lyse… has been on the battlefield?" "She was with Doctors Without Borders at Luminara that year when they were at war. She saved a good number of citizens and soldiers from the Peacekeeping Forces." Jonah's voice contained heartache and an inexplicable feeling
In the study, Justin sat at his desk, engrossed in the art of calligraphy. The ink flowed gracefully over the paper, inscribing the words, "Spring adds new life and new joy to all that is."His strokes flowed like a river. They looked to be full of life and endless vigor. "Mr. Justin, Jasper has been discharged." When Julien came to Sheryl's mind, she became enraged. "That Dr. Lovelace is such a hindrance. Because of Alyssa, he slapped Jasper and shoved me at the hospital today! He's not a man at all, that bugger!" With a slight smirk on his face, Justin spread out a new piece of writing paper. "Why, does it make your heart ache to see Jasper getting hit?" "No, I just think that he's being too nosy. I was just worried that he would mess your plan up." Sheryl had a gloomy look in her eyes. "With someone like this by Jasper's side, provoking and stimulating him over and over, I'm worried that it would invoke his curiosity about Alyssa. His subconscious feelings for Alyssa migh
Thanks to timely treatment, the acute bleeding in Alyssa's stomach didn't turn into anything serious. She was sent to a regular ward to rest that same evening. Jonah stayed by her side the whole time, looking after her. Cyrus, the workaholic, applied for time off from work. That night, he stayed back to look after Alyssa. After hearing the news, Silas and Rose wanted to visit her. However, Jonah prevented them from doing so. He was well aware that Alyssa was currently heartbroken and devastated. She would only force herself to smile and appear energetic when she faced them. She was too drained. Staying at the hospital now actually gave her a chance to rest and prevented her from hurting herself before she came around. "Cyrus… Can you tell me now?" Alyssa leaned back against the headboard weakly as she blinked. Her eyes were swollen. Cyrus welled up with tears. In a pained voice, he remarked, "You're really rebellious, Lyse." "I've always been rebellious." With a frown o
Jonah knitted his brows together while an icy gleam flashed across Alyssa's eyes. They exclaimed in unison, "Sheryl?" With a serious look on his face, Cyrus nodded. "Two days before Jameson's death, Sheryl gave free medical care to all the inmates at the detention center. "Not long after that, Jameson died of a heart attack. Even though there isn't any evidence to prove that Sheryl murdered him, out of everyone who came in contact with Jameson before he died, she was the one who was qualified and capable of doing something like this. "After all, it's really unexpected for her to show up at the detention center out of the blue, isn't it?" Alyssa leaned back against the headboard again. She lowered her eyes. "If Sheryl was really the one who did it, that would mean that Justin was acquainted with Jameson. Justin sent Sheryl to get rid of Jameson because he's worried that he would confess something when he goes to court to be put on trial. So, he decided to silence him in case i
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