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
Alyssa knitted her brows together tightly as she took that bag of pills from Cyrus and examined it. "This stuff is extremely addictive. Not only will its user become addicted just after a one-time consumption, but it also has few adverse reactions for its users. It can cause its users to become greatly excited; they wouldn't feel tired even if they stay up for a few nights." Cyrus glared at the criminals in the car with a fierce glare. He burst out in anger, "Damn it! After so much effort getting rid of that drug completely last year, we now have this Crystal Ice? It's freaking never-ending!" Alyssa asked, "Cyrus, was this Crystal Ice first distributed from Solana City? Is it available in other cities?" "We haven't heard of it being available in other places as of now. It only appeared within Solana City this month. We're investigating the source of this drug. But we've only managed to arrest a few underlings to date. We haven't had any breakthroughs yet." Alyssa pondered for
The look in Jasper's eyes was deep. He replied in a cold and emotionless voice, "Thanks for your kind thoughts, but there's no need for that." Javier frowned. He tightened his grip on Jasper's shoulders. "Jasper, if you truly want to inherit Beckett Group, a marriage alliance is a responsibility you must shoulder! The doctor said you lack emotion right now. In that case, all women should be equal in your eyes. Including Alyssa." "I'm doing very well right now. I don't need a woman." Jasper frowned. "Even though I have broken up with Ms. Alyssa, you shouldn't put her on the same plane as other women. After all, she was once very important to me." Very important—these two words tugged at his ice-cold heartstrings. "Jasper, are you staying that you haven't moved on from that woman from the Taylor family?" Javier's voice had a clear tone of displeasure. Icily, Jasper answered, "Dad, this is a personal matter of mine. I have the right not to answer you." "Jasper, I have been thr
The reporter pressed on, "Recently, Ms. Gillis and Mr. Beckett have been frequently spotted together in public. Rumor has it she's his new lover! You and Mr. Beckett just broke up, and now he's with someone else. Were they involved before?"Alyssa silently clenched her fingers into fists. Suddenly, a chill overcame her like a cold-blooded snake slithering up from her calf. She forced herself to maintain her composure. With a sharp gaze, she stared at the reporter who threw those questions out. Intimidated by that stare, that reporter shrunk back into the crowd. "I will say this one last time. Mr. Beckett and I had an amicable breakup. It had nothing to do with anyone else. Jasper and I have been together for many years. "Even though we have broken up, I will continue to defend his reputation as a friend. I am not going to allow anyone to slander or damage his reputation. Having been together for so many years, no one knows how good of a person he is better than I do…"As Alys
Alyssa wasn't the first to gaze at Justin with that look. He had long learned to categorize those stares as expressions of reverence. Yet, for reasons he couldn't quite explain, he disliked seeing it in her eyes."Justin, what brings you here?" Alyssa calmed herself down and avoided that deep gaze of his. "I heard from Grandpa that you would be coming over tonight, so I was waiting for you here," Justin answered with a gentle smile. His eyes were filled with tender affection. Everyone in the crowd was shocked. What did that mean? Was that an implicit confession of love? Did Justin have feelings for Alyssa too? But she used to be his younger brother's partner. Did he truly not care about it, mind it, or be irked by it? At that moment, the reporters who caught a whiff of the amorous tension became excited again. They flooded toward the pair. The look in Justin's eyes deepened as he raised his arm and put it around Alyssa's shoulders in one swift and natural move. Then, he
When Justin and Alyssa stepped into the banquet hall together, another uproar swept through the hall. Everyone focused their astonished gazes on the pair. "I'm not dreaming, am I? The one accompanying Alyssa isn't Mr. Jasper, but another man?" "That man has such a confident air about him. His looks and bearing are comparable to Mr. Jasper's!" "Ms. Alyssa has so many brothers in the Taylor family. Could it be one of her brothers whom we have never seen?" "Justin!" Javier was pumped up in an instant. Beaming, he strutted to the front of Justin and Alyssa. Justin? The room fell silent as the crowd exchanged confused glances."Hey, Dad." Justin smiled, his eyes looking clear and bright. Alyssa was a daughter from a wealthy aristocratic family. Although she and Javier used to be on bad terms, she still attended the Beckett family's event. She politely greeted Javier. "Mr. Javier, my father is resting up at home and is unable to make it. So, he got me to come especially to
Jasper stumbled into the hotel's back garden and stopped by the pond. He panted hard, feeling as if he were drowning. Even so, he could not return to his usual composure. As he shook all over, he bent down and grabbed a handful of snow. The bone-piercing cold spread through his body, but he still couldn't suppress the throbbing pain in his temples. His eyes became bloodshot. He stuffed that handful of snow into his mouth and swallowed all of it. He couldn't suppress it. He couldn't suppress it at all.The pills. He needed those pills! "Mr. Jasper? What are you doing here?" Sheryl's surprised voice came from behind Jasper.He held his breath, his fingers tightening around the snow in his grasp, veins bulging as he clenched his fists. Slowly, he straightened his back and turned to face her. "I came out for some fresh air," he answered in an extremely hoarse voice. Sheryl narrowed her eyes and studied him. "Mr. Jasper, you look awful. Are you feeling unwell?" "I'm fine." A
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