After speaking with Alyssa for some time, both Jonah and Sean noticed her fatigued state. Realizing she was still weak and needed rest, they quietly withdrew from her hospital room, one after the other."Why does Ms. Alyssa have to endure so much misfortune since meeting Jasper?" Sean only dared to express his heartache after steering clear of Alyssa. "The frostbite on Ms. Alyssa's hands is really severe. I'm worried it will affect her future. "She is one of the top surgeons in the country and an excellent sculptor. If her hands are ruined…" Jonah's eyes reddened, his fists clenching in silent agony. "She'll be fine. We'll find the right treatment and ensure that even the scars heal completely," he said with quiet conviction."Mr. Jonah, please pardon me for saying this." Sean wiped his face, looking worn from a sleepless night. His voice cracked, emotion barely held in check. "I know Jasper is a remarkable man. "I also know how deeply they love each other. But if this story co
Jasper steadied his breath the moment he pushed the door open to Alyssa's hospital ward. For some reason, he was feeling really nervous. There was almost nothing that could ever unnerve him. Other than Newton, Alyssa was the only other person who could make him feel disquieted. A strange serenity filled the room, broken only by the faint hum of the medical equipment. Alyssa was still awake. She was sitting upright against the headboard. Her gaze was fixed on the darkness outside the window; her face turned to the side as if lost in thought.The new moon cast no light; there were no stars. She seemed to be staring at nothing, into the endless pitch black.Jasper froze in the doorway, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the sight of her. His breath hitched in his chest. This woman, once so full of optimism and light, now appeared fragile, defeated. Her spirit seemed so broken that it felt as if a single touch could shatter her completely.It wasn't until a few moments later
The hot soup soaked through Jasper's clothes, and the scalding heat mirrored the intense temperature of his body at that moment.Yet, his focus wasn't on the discomfort. He leaned forward and grabbed Alyssa by the wrists, pulling her hands toward him with firm insistence."Let me have a look. Do your hands still hurt?" "Let go of me!" Alyssa struggled as tears filled her eyes. "Stop struggling. You haven't recovered from your injuries!" Jasper's breaths became heavier as he tightened his grasp over her wrists. He saw her tears glistening in her eyes as she waved her bandaged hands at him, her face a mixture of misery and comic helplessness. Yet, there was an undeniable adorableness about her that sparked a deep, protective instinct in him.Memories of the past flashed in Jasper's mind. As his gaze remained fixed on Alyssa, something dark stirred within him, a coldness he had held for so long rising to the surface.Then, without warning, his mind blanked. He pressed his chap
The massive, opulent gates creaked open slowly as Remy steered the luxury car into the Sedonian fortress, a relic from the Middle Ages, with casual ease.After parking, both Remy and Sheryl got out of the car and attended to Justin.As Justin emerged from the vehicle, his expression remained impassive, but his eyes were chillingly dark, reflecting an intensity he kept tightly in check.His stride was steady, exuding an air of authority, eerily reminiscent of Jasper's presence.He was only able to appear so because he got Sheryl to inject a dose of adrenaline before he got out of the car. This shot was one that RC Biotechnology Research Institute had recently developed.His only purpose was to no longer look like an invalid before that man. He had to make himself presentable. "This is a private residence. Please hold on for a moment." This place was heavily guarded at the door. Bodyguards wearing suits and white gloves stopped them in their tracks. With a vicious look in his
Some people never change, no matter how much they alter their appearance or get a second chance at life. They still cling to the habit of sucking up to others. To Remy, Sheryl was no different than that vile woman, Alyssa."Remy is right. Aces are the noblest of all VIPs." Justin narrowed his eyes. "I may not be an Ace, but I am quite familiar with someone who holds the Ace of Spades."As they spoke, the attendant led them toward a massive door.The door opened with a loud mechanical whirr, releasing a cloud of smoke and a heady, sensual atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the serenity outside. It felt as though they were entering a completely different world.The room they stepped into was expansive, with rows of seats rising in tiers from the second floor upward, all facing a stage at the center. People were seated in the stands, their faces hidden in the dim lighting, making them appear as unsettling, lifeless marionettes from a distance.But it was what was happening on th
Remy's gaze was icy as he took in the scene before him—Zachary lounging with a woman perched on his lap. Her scant clothing barely concealed her while Zachary's hands groped her roughly. She forced a smile, her expression betraying a mix of discomfort and resignation.The room reeked of debauchery. Dim lights cast a murky glow over the scene, amplifying the suffocating atmosphere. Around them, women stood like objects behind glass cages, each wearing a choker with a string of numbers—price tags marking their value.And just like those women in the glass cages, she, too, had a choker around her neck. As Justin's loyal follower, Remy was no stranger to the darkness of the world. Yet, an unfamiliar heaviness pressed against his chest as he stood in this room. The degradation of these women, stripped of dignity and reduced to commodities, made his stomach churn.Unable to bear it, Remy averted his eyes, fists clenching involuntarily. He turned abruptly, unable to stomach the vile disp
Justin explained, "Jasper and Winston might have gotten along well initially, but things have changed. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa have broken up, and he's repeatedly hurt her. "As much as Winston favors Jasper, Ms. Alyssa is his daughter—the apple of his eye. His love for her outweighs anything else. Over time, the distance between Winston and Jasper will only grow, and that will no longer hinder our plans.""That's my dear Jay! Well done!" Zachary's expression shifted instantly. His lips curled into a smug smile. "Jasper is nothing more than the bastard child of Javier's one-night stand. How could someone like him ever deserve Ms. Alyssa? She's of noble status, far beyond his reach. Jay, you're the only one truly worthy of her."Justin's deep, inscrutable eyes revealed no emotion. Through gritted teeth, he replied, "Uncle Zachary, you're overthinking it. My only intention is to strip Jasper of his power and show him what true loss feels like."Zachary's eyes gleamed coldly as he waved
In that dimly lit room, Justin's face turned completely gloomy. Still, he stared at Zachary with a blank, emotionless gaze, as still and chilling as death itself.When their eyes met, Zachary felt a twitch in his eyelid, followed by an unsettling chill that crept down his spine, raising goosebumps across his skin."What exactly do you think I know, Uncle Zachary? I'm afraid I do not understand." Justin narrowed his eyes sinisterly."Wow, as expected of the Beckett family's eldest son. You've picked up most of Javier's acting skills, haven't you?" Zachary took a slow, deliberate drag from his cigar. He knew Justin's health was fragile, but still, he exhaled a thick cloud of smoke in his direction, daring him to react."20 years ago, you orchestrated the whole kidnapping scheme. You hired Gustav and his gang to abduct you and that bastard Jasper. You thought you could play both sides—secure a hefty ransom worth over a hundred million dollars, and throw in an extra 50 million for go
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