The next morning, Jasper dressed himself neatly. He appeared more dependable and sophisticated in his suit. He was going to KS World Hotel in the best state possible.Upon entering the lobby, he felt relaxed. Last year, he had visited the place and criticized it for being shabby and in need of many touch-ups. However, now it seemed like a whole new place. It was on par with five-star hotels.The new general manager seemed capable. Jasper believed he shouldn't underestimate her."This is the president of Beckett Group. Please relay the message that he would like to meet with Ms. Alyssa," Xavier said. Xavier faced many hurdles to reach Alyssa's administrative secretary, Avery."I'm sorry, but it's impossible without an appointment." Avery was being polite."The president of Beckett Group needs an appointment too?" Xavier's brows furrowed. "Why not?""You!" His face turned red with anger. He desperately wanted to file a complaint. "I'll make an appointment now. When can I m
After the call with Jonah, Sean entered the office impatiently."Ms. Alyssa, Jasper Beckett is here again! He's quite brazen, isn't he? It's a shame that he's not an insurance agent," Sean said. "I'm impressed by his determination. He's able to go this far for his loved one."Alyssa kept signing the documents without looking up. Nevertheless, Sean noticed the bitterness in her indifferent tone. He wondered if it was just his imagination. "Ms. Alyssa, I will personally make sure he doesn't come back this time.""No. Bring Jasper here." Alyssa capped the pen and arched a brow."What?" Sean was surprised."He genuinely wants to meet me. I guess I should spare the president of Beckett Group some courtesy, shouldn't I?"Alyssa leaned forward and stretched her legs. Sean hurried over and slid the heels onto her feet."Find a pretty lady with a sharp tongue. Look for one at the restaurants and cafés. I have something for her to do," Alyssa instructed. After over ten minutes, Sea
"M-Mr. Jasper … I'm out!" Xavier huffed. The hotel was a tall building with a dozen flights of stairs. By the time Xavier reached the 38th floor, he was huffing and puffing. His legs went weak. He almost keeled over. "Be a man. We have two floors to go. Hurry," Jasper urged emotionlessly as he continued to climb the stairs.He was 30 this year, only two years older than Xavier. He had been in the Peacekeeping Forces during his younger days. After retiring from the forces, he regularly worked out and practiced boxing. Thus, his stamina and tolerance were above average.He knew he could still do it even if he had to climb another 20 floors. After all, the night run in the forces was always more than 30 rounds on the field.Once they reached the 40th floor, Xavier sat on the stairs to catch his breath. Jasper shook his head at Xavier. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Jasper," said a man who approached Jasper with a professional smile. His eyes made him look young. It was hard to guess
Alyssa burst into laughter. Mia had no choice but to laugh too. Jasper frowned. "I'll take that, but there's no need to feel shy. I can make more of this painting. You can have it." Alyssa's words carried hints of mockery. Upon hearing that, Jasper's expression went stiff as he balled his fists."You went through so much to meet me. I bet it's not for some paintings. Let's cut to the chase." She didn't have time to beat around the bush with him."Honestly, I'm here for the issue regarding Gardner Group. I hope you can stop oppressing them. There's room for negotiations." Jasper's tone was low, but his gaze was formidable. "After all, it will only do you good in Solana City if you work with us.""Do you call this an oppression, Mr. Jasper?" Alyssa was at a loss for words."I think it is an action of justice to reveal the underhanded sellers. It will be a wake-up call to our peers so that no one will repeat the mistakes that we did. They won't purchase products of bad quality and
Alyssa returned to her office.Mia approached her with wobbly legs. "I-I was so scared! Mr. Jasper is so good-looking! And there's this powerful presence about him! My cheeks were burning the moment I met him. D-Did I do well, Ms. Alyssa?""You did great." Alyssa handed her an envelope. "Take it. You've earned it.""T-Thank you, Ms. Alyssa!" Mia took the envelope and was surprised by its thickness.Just then, Sean handed her a document. It was a confidentiality agreement."I know you're trustworthy, but I think it's better to have an agreement for both parties' sake." Alyssa smiled faintly.She continued, "Everything that happened today must remain between us. Unless I reveal it myself, sharing this conversation with a third party would be a breach of the agreement. I will get to the bottom of it."Feeling overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, Mia nodded and signed the papers. She promised to keep it a secret before leaving the office."The rumor has it that Jasper is a
The truth was, Jasper not only failed to experience true love, but he also felt increasingly helpless in this relationship.A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Jasper responded, and Xavier entered the office with a document."I've looked into it, Mr. Jasper. KS World Hotel returned Elysian Home's products and terminated all collaborations with Gardner Group nine days ago. Taylor Group hadn't exposed the quality issue to the media at that time. It was more of the public's assumptions."Jasper knew the series of events that took place after that. Next, Liana announced their wedding and hired ghostwriters to attack Alice. Only then did Taylor Group expose Gardner Group for their quality issue, leading to the current crisis. Gritting his teeth, Jasper took an aspirin to alleviate the headache. His hands were shaking. "I heard there was a vice general manager named Michael at KS World Hotel. He received a huge sum from Gardner Group before Ms. Alyssa was appointed. She fo
Jasper returned to Seaview Manor, completely drenched. Rosie hurried over with a cloth, but he waved her away. He headed upstairs with a long face."W-What's wrong with him? Did someone offend him?" Rosie asked in concern. "You should comfort him later. He had been deceived," responded Xavier."Huh? He's sharp and smart, though. He had been deceived? Have you reported to the police? We have to call the cops." Rosie was surprised.Xavier shook his head. "It's … It's complicated. The police can't do anything about it. Fortunately, justice prevailed over evil.""I told him to download an anti-scammer app long ago. He just wouldn't listen. Look at him now. He's a victim."Xavier smiled bitterly at the thought of Jasper having finally met his match. It wouldn't have been this serious if it was money-related, but the liar made use of Jasper's pride!… A pale-faced Jasper headed upstairs. He appeared lifeless."Mr. Jasper, Ms. Gardner is here. Mr. Javier is asking for you. He's
"I told Ms. Gardner not to touch the box on the headboard because it's important to you." Rosie looked at the angry Liana ambiguously.Rosie intentionally mentioned how much Jasper cared about Alice's gift to provoke Liana into revealing the truth."I threw it away," Liana confessed angrily, just as Rosie had anticipated.Fury filled Jasper's eyes as he asked, "Where is it?" "Jasper, why do you care about a gift from Alice? You're divorced. I'm your fiancée. Have you considered my feelings when you cherish her gifts?" Her eyes became teary. Her acting was so natural, thanks to Sophia's teaching."I'm asking you. Where is it?" Jasper's tone turned cold, and he ignored her tears. Shocked, she forgot to keep up her act and stammered, "I-It's in the trash bin in the backyard …"Jasper ran to the backyard. He was drenched in the rain instantly. He rolled up his sleeves and searched through the trash bin for the box."Jasper! Stop! Look how filthy it is!" Liana yelled from the corr
The board members were stunned into silence. One by one, they rose from their seats, greeting Newton respectfully. At Beckett Group, Newton's presence was akin to that of a king. Though he had long stepped away from the corporation's daily affairs, his influence remained unparalleled.He was not only an honorary board member of Beckett Group but also held similar titles in other renowned corporations. In the corporate world, Newton was nothing short of a legend.His unexpected arrival at the board meeting sent shockwaves through the room. The first words out of his mouth—an objection to the proposed motion—made it clear where his loyalties lay—with Jasper."Dad, what are you doing here?" Javier exclaimed, his voice laced with surprise as he rushed forward to steady Newton, who was visibly trembling.Justin narrowed his eyes as he stood up slowly. He was the last to rise to his feet. A flicker of something sinister danced in his gaze, an abyss of calculated intent hidden behind an
"You've been freed?" Justin asked, his voice distant."Sir, I'm really sorry for troubling you. You even had to make arrangements for me," Sheryl said apologetically. "I just made use of my connections. It's nothing. Besides, I figured they'd summon you—Jasper did get his medications from you, after all."Sheryl, still shaken from earlier, lowered her gaze. "Is that cop, Rio Olson, one of us? He seemed eager to arrest Jasper, so I thought you might have recruited him. But during the interrogation, he was relentless. He wouldn't go easy on me at all.""He is one of Mr. Barrett's men. That's enough for now."Sheryl mulled over it for a moment. Then, she lowered her voice and said, "Sir, Jasper can only be charged for drug use. As a first-time offender, it's not enough to keep him behind bars. I suspect he'll be bailed out by the day after tomorrow."Justin chuckled softly. "So?" "It's a shame we couldn't take him down for good," Sheryl said through gritted teeth."Jasper has Gr
With years of experience as a criminal investigator and a naturally sharp mind, Cyrus' instincts flared the moment he heard Rio's question.Gabe slammed the table, his voice a thunderclap of rage. "Rio Olson! What nonsense are you spouting? Have I been too lenient with you? Dr. Gillis is a doctor, and I'm a police chief. How would I know her? Stop letting your imagination run wild!"Gabe's face flushed crimson as he glared at Rio.Unmoved, Rio stared back, confusion etched on his face. "Then why are you stopping me from investigating Sheryl by the book? I don't get it."Jasper's test results were positive, and we found drugs hidden in his office. That alone suggests drug abuse. To secure a conviction, we need to trace his supplier. Otherwise, this case will collapse in court."Let's not forget—Jasper's attorney is Steven Lynch, a top-tier ex-judge who's handled multiple high-profile cases."From his position outside the office, Cyrus could only catch fragments of the conversation
"Now that we're on this topic, there's something I need to tell all of you," Alyssa said, her expression grim. Her tone turned cold as she continued, "I highly suspect that Sheryl is actually Liana Gardner."Her words left the Taylor brothers stunned."I don't have concrete evidence—no confession, no DNA proof. But when I called her 'Liana' at that run-down hospital, she turned around. Her reaction was odd, to say the least. Beyond that, her mannerisms, habits, and private behavior are eerily similar to Liana's."Alyssa smiled confidently. "And most importantly, I trust my instincts.""No wonder!" Silas suddenly shot to his feet, his eyes wide. "When I first saw her at the hospital, when she brushed past me, I felt this strange sense of familiarity. So, she's Liana? That means my gut feeling was right all along!"Jonah's expression grew serious. "If that's true, Jasper is in even greater danger. Liana's return—under a new identity, working alongside Justin no less—means she's play
Silence filled Alyssa's office. Since the incident that led to Jonah and Julien's heartbreaking breakup, everyone had avoided mentioning Julien, even though the sorrow of it lingered like a heavy shadow.Alyssa had suggested the second option because she believed Julien might be the key to turning the tide in their favor. But where was Julien now?After the fallout, he had disfigured himself, consumed by hatred toward Jonah, and left without hesitation. Would he return? Could they even find him?"Let's try to think of something else," Cyrus said, shaking his head dejectedly. He understood Jonah's situation all too well. "I'll go look for him." Jonah closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, they glistened with unshed tears. The redness in his gaze betrayed his heartbreak. "Some of my former subordinates are still in Mosgravia. I'll contact them for help. I'll find Julien, even if it means sacrificing sleep and meals. No matter what it takes, I'll bring him back."Silas
Alyssa couldn't bring herself to go home, so she stayed at her office. Unease gnawed at her as long as Jasper's situation remained unresolved. Everything else seemed insignificant in comparison.When Cyrus updated her, a troubling realization struck—something was off about the witness, Sebastian Bender. As soon as Jonah, Silas, and Cyrus heard about Jasper's predicament, they agreed to travel overnight and meet Alyssa at the KS Group office.Worried that Alyssa and Sean might overexert themselves, the three brothers brought food to lighten the tense atmosphere with a touch of familial warmth."Sean, Taty asked me to bring this for you," Silas said, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "She made this soup herself and insisted you finish every last drop."A playful smirk tugged at his lips. "I checked the ingredients. They're all... nutritious for men."Sean's face flushed crimson as he pressed his lips together. Guilt flickered in his eyes. "She should be resting. She's due to give b
That night, Sheryl was brought into an interrogation room adjacent to Jasper's for questioning. Rio was Gabe's subordinate, but he wasn't privy to the full details of the situation. All he knew was that completing this task could give him an edge over his rival, Cyrus, and secure his standing within Gabe's ranks.To Rio, Cyrus was nothing more than a privileged man from a prestigious family, competing unfairly with those less fortunate. Rio was determined to prove himself superior, showing Cyrus how he dealt with Jasper, his future brother-in-law, and forcing him to admit defeat.Fearless in the face of wealth and authority, Rio boldly took on the president of Beckett Group, Jasper. He believed such audacity would earn him public admiration and a sterling reputation.However, Rio never considered the possibility that Sheryl might have her own stakes in this matter. To him, she was just another suspect."Mr. Beckett claims you provided him with the drugs," Rio began, his tone ster
The complexity of Jasper's case far exceeded Rio's expectations. There were so many underlying factors! "Firstly, I didn't know this was a narcotic, Chief Olson," Jasper explained calmly. "As you mentioned, this is a new drug that's only emerged in Solana City over the past two months. Most people haven't encountered it yet. Even someone as informed as you likely just started learning about it. How could I have known?"Secondly, I wouldn't have taken it if I'd known it was a narcotic. I'm dealing with health issues right now. Taking drugs would only harm me further. Why would I jeopardize my own life? Why would I not want to live a long life?"Jasper's posture was upright, exuding an air of sternness reminiscent of a disciplined soldier. His righteous demeanor made it hard to believe he was a man struggling with drug addiction. Who could look at him and think otherwise?While Rio mulled over the situation, Steven interjected with a serious tone. "Chief Olson, I strongly suggest qu
"Mr. Beckett's blood sample contained methamphetamine…" Rio's eyes widened in shock. He knew this substance all too well—it was a component found in crystal meth.Sebastian hesitated, then lowered his voice. "Also, if I'm not mistaken, Mr. Beckett was hospitalized due to severe withdrawal symptoms. He didn't take his drugs on time, and his body couldn't handle it. Would this count as evidence?""Dr. Bender, thank you for the crucial information you've provided. We greatly appreciate your assistance in this case!" Rio shook Sebastian's hand vigorously, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.Meanwhile, just around the corner, Cyrus stood with his back against the wall. He had heard every single word of their exchange. His chest burned with rage as he clenched his teeth. Pulling out his phone, he quickly texted Alyssa. "Lyse, the situation has changed. I can't join the investigation, but you must save Jasper this time."…An hour later, Rio strode back into the interrogati