The only time Alyssa had ever become soft-hearted and gave her all was because of Jasper. The color drained from Jasper's face slowly. His charming eyes were deep and dark, and they carried complex emotions within them. With a gloomy gaze, Justin bent forward and picked up the bouquet of flowers on the ground. He maneuvered his wheelchair to the side of the tea table and placed the lilies into the vase, stalk by stalk. "It's a pity to throw this away. They look pretty nice." With his back against Jasper and Alyssa, his lips turned upward into an obscure smile. Seeing that Alyssa had closed her eyes, Jasper said in a husky voice, "Rest well, then." Upon saying that, he turned around and walked toward the door mechanically. "Jasper," Alyssa called out to him. He stopped in his tracks but did not turn around. "From today onward, let's go our separate ways. We'll no longer have anything to do with one another." Alyssa curled her fingers around her blanket so tightly that
Jasper's pupils trembled uncontrollably. Suddenly, the pain deep within his brain intensified, as if someone was punching his skull from the inside, trying to break free."Lyse."From the depths of his mind, he could vaguely hear himself calling that name."Jasper. Jasper, are you okay? You look awful," Justin asked in a concerned voice. Jasper ran his tongue across his teeth and blinked hard, his eyes already red. "I'm fine," he answered. Justin continued, "I'm telling you this because I don't want you to feel uncomfortable when I start officially pursuing Ms. Alyssa. Even though you two have broken up, you were once truly in love."He smiled slightly. "I don't want you to feel like I'm stealing the woman you loved. I just hope I can pursue the person I fancy without being influenced by anyone."Jasper's headache worsened, causing dizziness. Afraid that Justin might notice, he ended the conversation quickly. "I've already broken up with her. Whatever you do is none of my
Alyssa wasn't yet fully recovered. She was still limping when she walked. Despite that, she wouldn't allow herself to lie in bed like a useless person. Even though she was still in crutches and her left leg was still in a cast after resting for a week, she insisted on getting discharged from the hospital.She didn't inform Winston and his wives on the day of her discharge. Still, seeing Jonah, Silas, Rose, and Sean show up to take her home warmed her heart. "Lyse, are you and Jasper really…" Rose clung onto Alyssa's arm, which had grown noticeably thinner. She welled up with tears. "Yeah. It's over," Alyssa said with a soft smile, sounding almost relieved. "We were once deeply in love, and that was enough. I have no regrets."The urgency in Rose's voice made her eyes redden. "How can you say that? After being with him for so long, he never proposed or gave you the grand wedding you deserved. He owes you so much! How can it end like this?""Rose, even if Jasper did owe me somet
It was no wonder Axel hadn't been around recently. It turned out that he had accompanied Amber for her plastic surgery. "I found one of the best plastic surgeons in the world," Axel said. He walked over and stood next to Amber. They gazed deeply into each other's eyes, as if all they could see was one another. He explained, "Initially, we wanted to restore her original face completely. But the previous procedures she had undergone had changed her face so much, even altering her bone structure. Because of that, even the best surgeon could only restore about 80% of her original look."Alyssa exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my word... She's already so gorgeous at 80%. Wouldn't she be a goddess at 100%?"Everyone laughed, turning the atmosphere into a livelier one. "It's okay if my original face can't be restored," Amber said with a bright smile. "I'm just happy to have a fresh start."Her new look wasn't as strikingly beautiful as before, but it exuded a gentle elegance. Her face no
The moment Rosie spoke, the atmosphere in the car came to a standstill. The air turned frigid.Alyssa and Sean exchanged terrified glances. Alyssa then asked, "Mrs. Rosie, you said he's mentally disturbed… What do you mean?" Rosie felt a slight twitch around her eyes as if she had fallen into a deeply unsettling memory. She took a deep breath and explained, "I've been working with the Becketts for almost 30 years. "Among all the staff at Seaview Manor, apart from Mr. Durham and Mr. Odom, who assists Mr. Javier, few have been here as long as I have."When I first joined the Becketts, I was tasked with serving Mrs. Beckett and Mr. Justin, though I wasn't their personal helper. I was simply following the lead helper, doing heavy manual labor like laundry. More conscientious tasks—pouring and serving tea and the like—were outside my job description then."Initially, I thought Mrs. Beckett didn't like me because I came from a humble village and seemed careless. I later realized that
Caroline was deranged, and Justin tortured and killed animals. To make matters worse, Zachary, the Dutton family's heir and Justin's uncle, had brutally murdered his own lovers.A horrifying thought struck Alyssa—Was everyone in the Dutton family mentally disturbed?Did Justin inherit Caroline's insanity, which explained his wild behavior?"Is it true that Justin isn't sane?" Sean shook his head in disbelief. "But he looks completely normal! His emotions are absolutely stable!""That's what scares me the most. I'm afraid he has been disguising himself all these years, suppressing his true nature just to get closer to Madam. I'm worried he might harm you!" Rosie exclaimed, her eyes brimming with tears."Justin's torture and killing of animals suggest he has violent tendencies and a cold-blooded nature. This behavior indicates antisocial personality traits, but it doesn't provide sufficient evidence of a mental illness."Alyssa took a deep breath to calm herself. She continued with
Instantly, Alyssa's waterworks were turned on. Warm tears of joy streamed down her cheeks. She knew it. She had always known it. From the moment she first saw Remy, she was certain he was Damien. Despite his cold, heartless, and distant demeanor, that familiar sense of kinship had left no doubt in her mind."Madam, what's wrong?" Rosie quickly pulled out a handkerchief and hurried to wipe Alyssa's tears.Alyssa forced herself to stay calm. In a low, steady voice, she asked, "Cyrus, have you told anyone else about this?"Having worked on many cases over the years, Cyrus knew how to maintain his composure."No," he answered. "This is big news. I've only told you. I haven't mentioned it to Dad or Mom.""Good. For now, we need to keep this between us. Don't tell Dad or Mandy."Alyssa's chest tightened, her eyes burning with intensity. "I'm worried we'll tip off the enemy. Worse still, the person controlling Damien might hurt him if his identity is revealed."Cyrus responded with e
Jasper had been feeling mentally exhausted for three days since his fainting spell at the hospital.During a regular corporate meeting, he even zoned out and started nodding off in front of everyone.He turned down all evening business parties and social events, opting to return to Seaview Manor with Xavier.Xavier's eyes were filled with concern as he trailed behind Jasper. "Mr. Beckett, you haven't been doing well lately. Would you like to go to the doctor's?" "Which doctor?" Jasper felt a heaviness in his body, a throbbing in his head, and a chill in the air that made him uncomfortable in a way he couldn’t quite explain. "Dr. Lovelace is gone. Who else can solve my problems?"Xavier, deeply worried, sighed like a father fretting over his son. "But if you keep ignoring this, what will you do if it gets worse? After today's meeting, the higher-ups were already whispering about you behind your back. If rumors start spreading...""I am not sick," Jasper replied, his breath labo
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