Alyssa let out a laugh. "Hello, sir. I am new here." She flashed a sweet smile that reached her eyes. "There have been more people admitted here recently, so Ms. Gillis tasked me with helping out at the last minute." "Oh, I see." Since Alyssa mentioned Sheryl's name, despite being new, the bodyguard believed her right away. He said, "Don't wander around aimlessly. There's a male patient who just arrived today. He's extremely important to Ms. Gillis. Go over there immediately and see if she needs any assistance."Relieved that the bodyguard's suspicions were dispelled, Alyssa felt the tension in her body ease. She responded hastily, "Sure, I'll head over right away!"…Meanwhile, at the best hospital in Solana City, Jasper had been transferred to a regular ward for observation after his condition stabilized. However, his collapse in front of the Beckett Group's board members caused a significant stir within the corporation, and rumors started spreading like wildfire.Justin,
"Justin, physically… are you doing alright?" Javier widened his eyes, clearly surprised by Justin's suggestion. Justin had lived alone in Mosgravia for nearly 20 years. He had never asked Javier for anything or caused him trouble.On the contrary, despite being in a foreign land, Justin extended a helping hand to Javier during two critical moments when the Beckett Group faced difficult times. Thanks to Justin's support, the company managed to overcome those challenges.Thinking about this, Javier began to see Justin in a new light. A wave of remorse washed over him."I'm much better now. Otherwise, you wouldn't be seeing on my feet, would you?"Justin offered a slight yet sincere smile. In a calm voice, he said, "Dad, I understand how important Jasper is to you and the company. I've never intended to compete with him. All I want is to share your burdens and help the Beckett Group. "With the bid for Project A5 just around the corner, Jasper, being the responsible person he is, w
"Grandpa, please calm down." After a long period of silence, Justin stepped forward with a warm smile on his face. "You've misunderstood both Dad and me. I've never intended to take over Jasper's place. "I'm already grateful to be alive, even with this broken body of mine. I desire nothing more. Besides, there's no one more suitable than Jasper to lead Beckett Group as its president. So, please don't trouble yourself or get angry over this."Newton stared at Justin, his gaze locked on the faint smile that lingered on his grandson's face. Suddenly, he was struck by a vivid memory—of a young Justin, covered in blood, holding a knife, his lips curling into a sly smirk.Pain shot through Newton's chest, sharp and unrelenting. He staggered, but Justin caught him just in time."Grandpa, be careful!" Newton struggled to catch his breath, his hands clutching Justin's icy ones. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Justin… you wouldn't harm Jasper, would you? That boy lost his mother at such
As Sheryl looked back at the empty corridor, a chill ran down her spine, and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.She heard someone calling her Liana Gardner. It was a name she had discarded long ago—a part of her past she thought she had buried forever. Yet now, it came rushing back, unbidden and relentless.After all this time, she believed she had severed ties with her old life. But the moment she heard the name that had once been hers for over 20 years, she reacted instinctively, unable to suppress the surge of unease."Ms. Gillis!" A man, who appeared to be the hospital director, approached her with two medical staff in tow. He offered a polite smile and said, "I've prepared this round of medications. Shall we administer them to the subjects today?""How many times have I told you not to call them subjects? They are patients," Sheryl said coldly, fixing him with a sharp glare. "You make it sound like we're running some kind of inhumane experiment."The doctor laug
"Also… my entry pass is missing. That woman must have stolen it from me!" said the healthcare worker. Sheryl's heart dropped. She recalled how someone had called her by her real name earlier. It seemed none of that was her imagination. Cold sweat broke out on her back instantly.She immediately ordered Remy, "I need to meet Sir right now. Check the surveillance footage and find out who had the audacity to provoke us. Then report back to Sir and me as soon as possible!"Remy pursed his lips as he watched Sheryl storm away. …After successfully escaping the hospital, Alyssa rushed into her car. With Sean in the driver's seat, they sped away.While on the road, Sean noticed Alyssa's pale expression and completely white lips. In a concerned voice, he asked, "Ms. Alyssa, did you manage to find Grover? Was he in there? How is he doing?"Alyssa, still shaken and lost in thought, remained silent. Her eyes were dull and grim."Ms. Alyssa, are you alright?" Sean spoke louder. "She tu
It was a quiet night, with pin-drop silence filling the hospital's VIP ward. In the office of Jasper's primary physician, Sheryl placed a bank card on the coffee table and sipped her tea relaxedly."Ms. Gillis, what is the meaning of this?" Sebastian Bender stared at the black-colored bank card in shock. Nonchalantly, Sheryl smiled and asked, "Mr. Jasper's blood test results are out. I'm sure you have identified some issues with them, haven't you, Dr. Bender?" Sebastian hesitated. "Indeed, there was an unusual substance detected in Mr. Jasper's blood sample…""Methamphetamine, for instance?" Sebastian cried out in shock, "How did you know that?" "To be frank, you've had your suspicions ever since you started treating Mr. Jasper, haven't you? His symptoms are more like those of drug addiction rather than a simple headache. Am I right?" Sheryl pressed on, a sinister gleam in her eyes. Sebastian's hands trembled as he held his teacup. He argued, "Patients under extreme pain
"In a casual voice, Justin remarked, "Grandpa, you really do spoil Jasper. But, how much longer can you continue this?"His smile was no longer bright. Instead, it was cold and sly. With an infinitely deep look in his eyes, he continued, "Don't you know that the kinder you are toward him, the more you are dragging him down?" "Mr. Justin." Sheryl hurried toward Justin. "The matter is settled." Justin shot her a look, and she got what he meant. She pushed his wheelchair to the lounge so they could talk privately."Mr. Beckett Senior is so frustratingly stubborn!" Sheryl felt indignant on Justin's behalf. "To hell with Jasper. You should be the heir to Beckett Group! Why is he still insisting on protecting that bastard even at a time like this? Has he gone senile?" "It's just as I had expected," Justin said with a perfunctory smile. "In Grandpa's eyes, Jasper is his biological grandson, whereas he and I have been distant for a long time.""That's absolutely horrible. He can't e
Justin asked, "Who are you talking about?""Amber Altman! It must be her." Sheryl clenched her teeth in anger. "She was by Jameson's side the entire time. She must have heard things about me. "On top of that, she went with Jameson to Mosgravia to meet with you on several occasions. Now that I'm back, she must be suspicious of me and tailing me in secret. That previous encounter at the orphanage should have been a warning!"Justin smiled slightly and did not comment. The look in Sheryl's eyes turned grim. "Sir, we can no longer spare Amber. I don't care if she suspects me, but if she starts suspecting you and blabs to Alyssa, you would be in trouble!" A tired expression crossed Justin's face. "I understand why you're worried, but I don't have the energy to waste on these irrelevant people at the moment."Don't worry, Sir!" Sheryl lowered herself in front of Justin once again. She picked up his hand and held it tightly. "Leave that bitch to me. No matter what it takes or what
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