Newton's eyes widened as he clenched his fists. "Alyssa… you—""I saw and heard everything that happened at the cemetery today." Alyssa took a deep breath, her voice steady. "Grandpa Newton, was what Ms. Rollins said true? Did Justin really cause her daughter's death?"Newton's pupils constricted. He closed his eyes, as if trying to avoid Alyssa's questions. Alyssa's gaze sharpened. "Grandpa Newton, your reaction has already answered my question."Newton remained silent. "I know what's on your mind. Justin is Mr. Javier's eldest son, and he grew up right alongside you. Even though you might favor Jasper, you wouldn't want something from the past to tarnish Justin's reputation. After all, he was still a minor back then. No matter what he's done, as a Beckett, you'll do anything to protect him."Alyssa's words hit the mark, each one piercing with precision. She continued, "But you also believe his actions were unforgivable. You've been angry but too afraid to expose him. Keepin
"Grandpa." Jasper's breaths were heavy, and his eyes were dark as the night, concealing deep concern within. Unfortunately, his amygdala had been damaged by drugs, sealing off his intense emotions. Despite the turmoil within, there was no way for those feelings to escape. As a result, Jasper appeared completely cold and heartless. Newton and Alyssa exchanged knowing glances, seemingly able to read each other's minds. Newton quickly wiped his tears and forced a kind smile. "Hey, Jasper… Thankfully, Alyssa was here to look after me, so I'm fine now. Don't worry."Alyssa's thoughts were still fixed on Newton's earlier advice. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she spaced out. It wasn't until she sensed a cold, masculine presence beside her that she lifted her head, only to find Jasper's intense gaze locked on hers. He pursed his lips slightly, lowering his eyes.In that instant, it was as if someone had pressed the pause button on her heart. Her cheeks flushed pink as she panicked
On the way home from the hospital, Alyssa replayed Jasper's words in her mind, recalling the promise they'd sealed with a high five. Her heart swelled with a mix of emotions that she could barely define. Watching the snowfall outside, her eyes shimmered with tears. Softly, she murmured to herself, "Alyssa, he came to see you of his own accord and was willing to go along with what you wanted. Isn't that enough?"You no longer have the right to be carefree and proud in front of him. You need to be grateful."As Sean drove, he glanced into the rearview mirror. Seeing Alyssa's desolate expression stirred a deep sorrow within him. Being separated from Jasper had turned Alyssa's world upside down. If Jasper were to die, Alyssa's life would be completely shattered. Perhaps having Jasper alive was the best outcome fate could offer after all they had endured, however bittersweet it was. "Ms. Alyssa, it's late. Why don't you go home to rest instead of heading back to KS Group? You'll s
Could that be the case? Could Justin really have harbored such sinister plans at such a young age?Alyssa wasn't keen to believe in a conspiracy, but she had begun to suspect something two years ago. How could a 15-year-old manage to rescue Jasper from the kidnappers' hideout? Even an adult would have struggled to pull that off. It would have been impossible for a teenager like him. Moreover, the kidnapper—Gustav Holm, infamously known as "Crazy Gustav" among gangs—was a vicious criminal with numerous kills to his name. And yet, Justin freed a captive right under his nose. Forget Gustav; if Alyssa herself had been in his place, Justin's return to the Beckett family would have been out of the question. Snapping back to reality, Alyssa quickly pulled out her phone and called Silas. As soon as he picked up, she said, "Silas, can you help me retrieve a case file? I need to look at something." Silas sighed. It was either radio silence from Alyssa or a shocking request like this. "L
Coincidentally, both Jasper's and Newton's expressions darkened, and they both fell into silence. It was as if they had read each other's minds and learned that neither of them wanted to let Justin in. Yet, their unwelcome guest had already taken the liberty of coming in. Ben, who had been waiting at the door, reluctantly opened it for Justin. "Grandpa, I heard that your condition suddenly flared up. How are you feeling? Are you feeling better now?" Then, as if only just noticing Jasper in the room, Justin's eyes flickered briefly. He gave a warm smile. "Oh, Jasper. You're here too." Jasper's expression remained grim. He nodded slightly. "Hey, Justin." "If I'd known Jasper was here, I would've come tomorrow instead. I don't want to disrupt your rest." Justin wheeled himself over to Newton's bedside. "It's fine, Justin," Newton replied, though his smile seemed forced. "But it's late, and you're not in great health yourself. You didn't have to make a trip to visit me." Just
Justin, whether intentional or not, had struck a nerve with Jasper. Yet, Justin was his older brother, someone Jasper deeply respected. Jasper could only restrain himself. "But right now, Jasper and Ms. Alyssa are separated. Since he no longer wants her, I want her. Grandpa, you'll support me, won't you?" A slight smile appeared on Justin's lips as a strip of apple peel fell to the floor. "I know you've always been fond of Ms. Alyssa and wanted her to marry into our family. If she and Jasper aren't meant to be, then I'll be the one to marry her. That way, your wish will still be fulfilled, right?"Despite Justin's calm, graceful demeanor, he radiated an unspoken intensity. Jasper held his breath, his frown deepening.Newton braced himself, struggling to keep his composure. He attempted to sit up but lacked the strength. With a strained breath, he murmured, "Justin, it's not that I have anything against you or that I don't support you and Alyssa. It's just that I understand Alyssa
After lunch, Alyssa and Sean headed straight for Mildred's home.This area was a well-known slum in Solana City. The poverty, neglect, and chaos were even more desolate under a blanket of snow. Mildred's family lived in a rundown house with dirty bricks on the rooftop, giving the impression that the entire structure might collapse with the slightest gust of wind. "This is terrible. How could this be?" Sean shook his head, feeling indignant. "The victim's family lives in such dire conditions, and their lives have been shattered. Meanwhile, Justin continues to live as a high-and-mighty, well-respected scion, completely unpunished for his crime. Where is the justice?" With a gloomy look in her eyes, Alyssa sighed. "How can an ordinary citizen fight against a powerful tycoon? This is only one case that you know of. There are countless other dehumanizing and immoral incidents in this world that remain hidden. Many people may never learn about them."As Alyssa and Sean conversed, the
Ben often heard Newton refer to Alyssa as a heroine, but he never truly believed it. Today, he finally witnessed it with his own eyes. She embodied the strength expected of Winston's daughter. Her commanding presence and intimidating demeanor would have many men humble themselves before her."Ms. Alyssa, w-what are you trying to do?" Ben stammered, his voice trembling. With a stern look in her eyes, Alyssa answered, "Mr. Gorham, besides Grandpa Newton, I believe that you're the only one who knows about Justin's murder. Am I right? I want to know how Mildred actually died. How did you and Grandpa Newton dispose of her body?"Ben clenched his teeth, remaining silent."Even if you refuse to speak, my family and I can find out. It's only a matter of time." Alyssa forced a slight smile. "Once I discover the truth, I can't guarantee what the consequences will be." "Ms. Alyssa, this is a serious matter! This incident involves Mr. Newton and threatens the entire Beckett family's reputat
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
Sheryl's eyes lit up. "And what might that reason be?"Justin's lips curved into a faint smirk, his voice calm yet carrying a cold, ethereal tone. "Besides Ms. Alyssa, there's another woman who holds great significance to Jasper. She's the only one who can compel him to act without hesitation." Remy, usually a man of few words, abruptly spoke up. "Is she the one you've mentioned before? The woman who saved Jasper on the battlefield?""After Jasper retired from the military, he was plagued by PTSD. He came back shattered, dispirited, even on the brink of taking his own life."During that time, I often spoke with him over the phone, urging him to hold on, to keep living. I reminded him that if I could endure this half-disabled existence, then surely, he could find a reason to go on."Justin's tone was leisurely, as though recounting something insignificant. He continued, "I told him that if he were gone, what would become of Beckett Group? More than that, he would leave Dad and G