"Lyse!" Alyssa's father, Winston, rushed into the hospital ward. With him were his three wives, Jonah, and Silas. At first, a pregnant Tatiana also made a fuss about coming over to visit Alyssa. However, everyone else forced her to stay home and had Sean look after her. Everyone's jaws dropped when they witnessed Justin holding Alyssa in his arms. The room was dead silent. "Dad…" Alyssa muttered. There was a quiver in her teary eyes. She struggled slightly in Justin's arms but could not pull away from him. Her face flushed red in embarrassment as she couldn't budge, making them look even more like a shy couple. Justin curled his lips upward slightly. In a relaxed manner, he got to his feet from his wheelchair and lowered Alyssa back onto the bed. Then, he tucked her in caringly. Everyone shot astonished looks at one another. Even though the Taylors were based in Belbanks, their status as one of the wealthiest families meant that they were familiar with the news about up
Alyssa would no longer hear that soft yet firm voice saying, "Don't be afraid, Lyse. I'm right here." "You're such a brat! You're already 26. When can I stop worrying about you?" Winston exclaimed in a rough and stern voice. Out of his love for Alyssa, even an experienced leader like him was on the brink of tears. "Jonah, Lyse's driving skills are outstanding. How did she end up in a car accident?" Silas's voice tensed as his heart filled with concern. He looked toward a pale-looking Jonah. "I heard that she was on the way to the airport. The weather for the past few nights had been terrible. Why was she going to the airport on her own?" Jonah's eyelashes were moist. He felt like his heart had been pierced, and he was deeply aggrieved. Silas noticed how terrible Jonah looked. Immediately, he questioned, "Jonah, what's wrong?" "Lyse was going to the airport to chase after Julien," Jonah answered numbly. The back of his throat was filled with a sharp, bloody taste. Silas w
Sheryl's words came like a bolt from the blue, catching the Taylors off guard. Alyssa shuddered. She curled her scabbed fingers around her blanket into a tight grip. "Say what… Jasper and my daughter have broken up?" Shock filled Winston's eyes. He couldn't believe his ears. Sheryl confirmed, "That's right. Your sons know about this too. Though, it seems like you were truly unaware." Lyla was on the verge of tears. She shook her head continuously. "That's impossible… Why would they…"Mandy trembled. She widened her eyes in disbelief. "They broke up? Why did they break up out of the blue? They share such a good relationship. How is that possible?" Sheryl blinked. A hint of maliciousness lurked in her eyes. "You shouldn't be asking me this. You should ask Mr. Jasper because from what we heard, he was the one who wanted to break up—""Break up my foot! He would never do that to Lyse even if someone pointed a gun at his head!" Colene blew her top and flew into a rage. She p
However, what was Alyssa going to do? Winston loved Alyssa the most. She was naturally someone who gave her all when it came to love. In this life, she had chosen Jasper. She wouldn't be able to get over this relationship. Yet, Jasper was no longer in love with her. It was devastating for the person who remained, abandoned in the end.Just then, a nurse knocked on the door and entered the room. "Mr. Beckett, it's time for your checkup." "Alright, I'll head over now." Sheryl held onto the handle of Justin's wheelchair with both hands while Justin excused himself politely. He said to Winston, "Mr. Winston, I'm sure that you have a lot to talk about with Ms. Alyssa. I shall give you both some space. The medical standards at this hospital are quite high. Also, I've arranged for several surgeons to come by tomorrow. They'll examine Ms. Alyssa first thing in the morning."If you can't trust them, you may also transfer her to another hospital. I can help you connect with people. T
Mandy's emotional cry reverberated down the hallway.Naturally, Remy heard her voice too. He was slightly stunned. His eyes met the teary-eyed, middle-aged woman standing a few feet away from him. For some reason, his heart felt heavy. Even breathing stirred up some unfathomable feelings within him. It felt just like that heavy feeling he had when he watched Alyssa, injured all over, crawling out from her car that had flipped over. "Damien… Is that you? Damien!" Even though Mandy was always a noble and composed person, her face was covered in tears at this very moment. She choked with sobs and had lost her composure. "Damien… It's me, your mom! You're still alive… I can't believe that you're still alive!" Mom?Dumbfounded, Remy stared at the woman who was approaching him. It was as if someone had put his heart on pause. His slender fingers quivered slightly as he pinched a cigarette in between his fingers. In the next second, the splitting pain in his head pulled him ba
"It's not a coincidence!" Alyssa sat up straight. Bright-eyed, she continued, "Mandy isn't wrong. There is a man who looks exactly like Damien! "I know him. His name is Remy Lexington. I interacted with him when Jameson held me captive on Rose Island in Kontina!" The Taylor family members were floored. "Lyse! In that case, is he Damien?" Winston queried urgently. Alyssa gritted her teeth and remained silent. She wondered why Remy would have appeared at the hospital at a time like this. There could only be one possibility—he was the one who rammed into her car that night. He was also the one who sent her to the hospital. Yet, the first person she saw when she regained consciousness was Justin. Jameson, Remy, Justin…Suddenly, she came to a realization. Terror spread throughout her entire body. A seemingly unrelated yet extremely horrifying thought popped into her mind. She didn't believe in coincidences. All coincidences were inextricably linked with one another, albeit i
The next morning, Jasper jolted awake from his sleep. For some reason, the shock caused him to break out in cold sweat. The air felt thin. He made his way out from under the covers and picked up his phone from the bedside table. He squinted as he checked his phone. To his surprise, he had over 20 missed calls from Newton. Ever since his discharge from the hospital, his head would throb every night. He wasn't sure if this was a side effect, but he had been having wakeful nights for the past three to four days. Last night, he felt that he wouldn't be able to take it if he went on like that. Thus, he took some sleeping pills, which helped him to fall asleep till the day broke. Jasper got up while massaging his sore temples. He was just about to ring Newton back when he heard Xavier's voice from the other side of the door. "Mr. Beckett, are you awake?" "What is it?" "Mr. Beckett Senior is here. He's asking for you downstairs." After washing up, Jasper changed into a smart
Watching Jasper being unperturbed, Newton slumped back against the couch. A disappointed look filled his eyes. How could everything get back to square one just like this? Even if he couldn't accept this outcome, how could Alyssa take it? In a deep voice, Javier prompted, "Jasper, you have your regular meeting in the morning. It's about time for you to leave, isn't it?" Jasper turned around without showing any emotions on his face and strode out the door. …Alyssa was still in a stage of recovery. She had been feeling groggy and had slept the entire morning away. She didn't even have breakfast or lunch. It was in the late afternoon that she gradually stirred.When she saw Jonah, Silas, and Cyrus watching over her by her side, her heart was warmed despite being badly wounded by Jasper. "Lyse, do you feel better now?" Jonah asked in a husky voice. He gave her bony hands a gentle squeeze. Looking at Jonah's face, Alyssa suddenly felt like he had weathered through so much overni
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