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
The unsuspecting Colene was filled with joy when she saw Axel had returned. Just as she was about to greet him, Lyla quickly dashed forward and covered her mouth. Lyla gave her meaningful looks as she gently pulled her away from the kitchen. With that, only Amber and Axel remained in the kitchen. Amber was puzzled when she realized Colene and Lyla had gone quiet. As she was about to turn around, Axel covered her eyes with his hands. Amber's heart skipped a beat. She pursed her lips briefly, then said in a tender voice, "Quit joking around, Axel." Axel chuckled softly. "Couldn't you at least pretend to guess who I am? Where's the romance?"He removed his hands from her eyes and began to trace the curves of her body, all the way down to her perky bottoms and stopping there. "Why, you—Behave yourself." The fiery touch from Axel's palms was making Amber quiver all over. She leaned into his arms; her eyes red and moist. She was moved, but more than that, she missed him very
Axel didn't care that he was soaked to the bone. He grabbed onto Amber's shoulders as she trembled violently."You're alright… I'm here! Don't be afraid!"Amber stared at him blankly. Her face was pale, and her mouth hung open. It was as if she were drowning, gasping for air. "Was it a nightmare? You're okay. Don't be afraid… I'm right here." Axel panicked. He pulled her into his arms. "I-I… I'll help myself." Amber shivered uncontrollably, trying to cover the old scars on her body. Back at The Millennium, Jameson had tormented her for days. That dark, humiliating past was suffocating her.She avoided leaving the lights on because intimacy deeply traumatized her.She only showered alone; those hideous scars were constant reminders of her shameful past. The trauma lingered, and she didn't want the love of her life to see her in such an ugly state. Surprise flashed across Axel's eyes. He realized what was happening.He stepped into the bathtub with her, embracing her tigh
"Justin's uncle? Lyse, what does this person have to do with you?" Axel couldn't help but inquire out of curiosity. "I keep having the feeling that Zachary and Justin are closely related. Moreover, he might be hiding and working with Justin to devise some unfathomable scheme."I'm guessing that we'd be able to get a major breakthrough through him. Justin's true colors and evil schemes can only be exposed if we find and approach Zachary." Alyssa stared fixedly at the moon with a gaze even colder than the night. "Lyse, in reality, you could have lived a very free and happy life. You didn't have to live with so much worry." Axel gazed deeply at her, sorrow filling his heart. "It was all because of Jasper that you always ended up risking your life and bringing these troubles upon yourself." "I am someone who likes to keep myself busy. A serene life isn't suitable for my thrill-seeking soul." Alyssa blinked. "Right now, the only obstacle Jasper has in Beckett Group is Justin. He
Newton's heart ached as he looked at Jasper, his favorite grandson. "Jas, you've been out for three days." Three days. Jasper inhaled sharply. His head started spinning, and he felt weak. In a concerned tone, Newton asked, "Jasper, are you feeling okay?" "Grandpa, I'm sorry." Jasper gulped. "It's the time when we're about to bid for such an important project for Beckett Group, but I've set us back." "Oh, silly. It's not your fault. Why are you apologizing?" Newton stroked Jasper's head, just like he would when Jasper was a kid. "To me, no bidding or project is more important than my youngest grandson. "Jasper, don't worry about Beckett Group. You don't have to worry about your passing out in front of the board of directors affecting your position in the corporation. You are my appointed heir. This is a fact that will not change no matter what happens." Even though Jasper looked emotionless, Newton's words of resolution stirred something within him. "Just focus on restin
The look in Jasper's eyes grew dimmer and dimmer. His car windows were tinted, preventing the reporters who had come after hearing the news about his health from getting a clear view of his frigid expression.Nevertheless, they pressed their faces against the car window until their features looked distorted.Jasper curled his lips downward as an inexplicable feeling of frustration simmered within him. He lifted his hand and dug into the knot of his tie, tugging it downward. "Mr. Beckett! I heard that you were hospitalized for several days after collapsing in front of everyone. Do you actually have health problems?""If there are no issues with your health, please step forward and clarify to put the public at ease.""Beckett Group's shares were somewhat affected when the stock market opened today. This was surely related to your hospitalization. Could you share some comments with us?" Jasper's car drove out of the crowd and into the underground parking lot with great difficult
Xavier approached Cyrus hastily, his smile stretching from ear to ear when he saw someone from the Taylor family."Are you here to see Mr. Beckett? Come upstairs with us!" he invited in an especially friendly manner."No need for that," Cyrus replied, his expression stern. He continued formally, "We are here to see Mr. Beckett. We need him to come back to the station to cooperate with our investigation."By this time, a crowd of Beckett Group's employees had gathered. They all heard Cyrus clearly. He had used the word "cooperate", not "assist". One word made all the difference.Xavier's mind raced. He instantly lowered his voice and pleaded, "Chief Taylor, this doesn't look good with so many people watching. Can we continue our conversation upstairs?"Cyrus knitted his brows tightly. He was extremely well-versed in the procedures. But this time, Jasper was the person he was taking away personally—the man who almost became his brother-in-law, the one who had risked his life rep
Rio approached Jasper and confidently flashed out the arrest warrant, deliberately raising his voice so everyone present could hear. "Mr. Jasper Beckett, you are suspected of drug abuse. Please come with us!" The moment he spoke, it was as if the skies had crashed down, catching everyone completely off guard. Jasper raised his eyebrows, his temples throbbing. "Drug abuse… You're claiming Jasper took drugs? That's slander!" Javier's face turned pale with shock. Xavier's head buzzed. He almost passed out upon hearing Rio's accusation. Rio stated calmly, "We will not arrest anyone without proof." Cyrus gritted his teeth in anger, clenching his hands into fists. He would never believe that Jasper would do drugs! Yet, he had no way to involve himself in the case. He couldn't prove Jasper's innocence, no matter how much he wanted to.The Beckett Group employees present had heard Rio's words. Their jaws dropped, and they began chattering among themselves.Within an hour, news
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"Mr. Lexington," the doctor greeted respectfully, lowering his head slightly. Everyone at the base knew who Sheryl and Remy were. They were the ones in charge, the decision-makers. So, everyone obeyed their orders without question. To the staff unaware of the facility's true purpose, Sheryl and Remy stood at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. Unbeknownst to them, someone more powerful lurked in the shadows."How has she been these past few days?" Remy asked, his expression unreadable."She's had some adverse reactions, but there are no signs of organ failure yet. Honestly, I'm surprised. She looks frail, but her body is incredibly resilient—stronger than some men, even."The doctor scoffed. "But I'm not sure if she'll make it past her fourth injection today. Last month, four test subjects didn't survive beyond that point. Their bodies have already been sent to the incinerator." Remy's jaw tensed. His voice was husky as he said, "As I've instructed, this woman must be kept alive.
Xavier seethed as he took in the insincere smile on Justin's face. Deep down, he was cursing him with every profanity imaginable. "Whatever makes you happy."Ignoring Justin's dark gaze, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead as he strode past him.Out of nowhere, Justin chuckled and asked, "Did you really think you had people on your side during the board meeting?"Jasper halted, his eyes narrowing. "Grandpa tried his best to shield you, but his health is failing by the day. How much longer do you think an old man can protect you?"Lowering his gaze, Justin idly adjusted the ruby cufflinks on his sleeves. His voice was casual yet cutting. "And Lyse—after how ruthlessly you discarded her, do you still believe she'll stand by you no matter what? That she'll fight alongside you like before?"The intense midday sun accentuated the sharp, aloof, and pallid features of Jasper's face as he stood, unyielding, in its glare. His pulse quickened. Finally, he answered, his voice a low rasp. "R
As the board meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.News of Justin securing his position as president and Alyssa joining the board quickly spread through Beckett Group.After the meeting, Alyssa escorted Newton back to Crescent Bay while Jasper remained at the corporation to handle some matters.With Xavier accompanying him, Jasper strode toward the chairman's office, his expression cold and unreadable.Nearby, a few employees huddled together, whispering."Psst! Do you think Alyssa joining the board means she's teaming up with Jasper to take down our new president?""People have been saying they broke up since they haven't been seen together for a while," another speculated."But at the press conference, Alyssa openly condemned Mr. Justin. That looked like she was siding with Jasper. So, are they still together or not?""Come on, to people like them, personal feelings don't matter—only their own interests do. Even if they broke up, they can still work together if it
When Jonah reached the bedside, he leaned in slowly, giving Julien an unobstructed view of his tanned skin, well-defined abs, and that devastatingly captivating face. Reclining against the headboard, Julien found himself lost in Jonah's eyes. His breath hitched, and his mind momentarily blanked as Jonah's mesmerizing gaze locked onto him. What could he do? His heart still betrayed him, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He was a fool—a pathetic fool. Jonah braced his arms on either side of Julien's head, his dark eyes overflowing with a raw, possessive affection. It was as if he sought to consume Julien—just as he had last night."Julien, does it still hurt—" "Fuck you!" Julien's bloodshot eyes blazed as he swung his hand, landing a sharp slap across Jonah's face. The illusion of his frailty shattered. A crimson handprint bloomed on Jonah's cheek in a split second, the flesh puffing up visibly. But the sting barely registered. Not when the ache in Jonah's chest was alr
Justin frowned as a hint of surprise flashed across his dark eyes. He had assumed Newton's unannounced appearance at the board meeting—along with Alyssa's involvement—was a coordinated effort with Jasper to overthrow him as president. After mentally running through hundreds of countermeasures, the one possibility he hadn't considered was that everything would proceed smoothly in his favor. Javier was equally stunned, though this outcome aligned with his desires. Today, Justin wasn't merely his son but a constant shadow looming over him, a silent predator watching his every move and reminding him that his past actions weren't completely buried. Instead, this secret loomed like a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment, obliterating everything he'd built. And the person holding the detonator was Justin—his eldest son whom he had trusted above all others. With a dim gaze, Javier watched Justin rise to his feet amid the applause. Suddenly, Justin's voice seemed distant,
Justin curled his lips into a smirk, scoffing in silence. Newton had gone to great lengths to bring Alyssa into Beckett Group. This was his way of decentralizing power and keeping it in check, and he wanted to prevent Justin from having complete control. Unlike others, Javier couldn't hold himself back. He blew his top instantly, his face turning red like a tomato. "Dad, have you lost your mind? Don't you know who she is? She is KS Group's president—our direct competitor!"KS Group is also bidding for Project A5. No matter how much you favor her, you should at least recognize the limits. If you promote her, it's a blatant conflict of interest—outright cronyism!" Newton sneered. "I might understand your concern if I were promoting someone other than Alyssa."His gaze hardened. "Cronyism? A conflict of interest? I wonder who you're really talking about."With those words, he cast a knowing, enigmatic glance at Justin's blank expression. Just then, a board member from Javier's
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,