Alice White stared at the divorce papers on the table and realized that her husband had already signed them. Then, she looked toward the window. Jasper Beckett's upright figure reflected in her watery eyes. He looked charming under the afternoon sun but also cold and domineering. Even from behind, he radiated aloofness. "I've signed it. You should also hurry and sign it. I want to finish all the legal procedures before Lia returns." Jasper had his hands clasped behind him and didn't turn to look at her."We've already agreed on the assets before marriage, so there won't be any issues with that. However, I will compensate you with another 20 million and a villa on the outskirts. After all, you'd be leaving without anything else. It'd be hard for me to explain that to Grandpa later if you do." Alice was stunned and upset. "Does … does Grandpa know you're divorcing me?" "So what if he knows? Do you think it'll affect my decision?" After hearing that, Alice felt faint and grasp
Liana was the niece of Jasper's father's current wife, so she got along well with the family during dinner. In contrast, Jasper was the only one with a frown and no appetite. Alice had left with Jonah and taken nothing with her, including the 20 million and the villa. "Where's Alice? Why isn't she joining us for dinner?" Jasper's father, Javier Beckett, asked."We're divorced. The papers are already signed. We will go through the procedures soon and get the divorce certificate." Jasper looked down as he answered.Shocked, Javier asked, "Divorce? Why?" "Javier, I told you Jasper and Alice aren't a good match. Still, your father forced them to get married." His wife, Sophia Kirkman, couldn't help but sigh."She's suffered a lot during these three years. It's a good thing for them both that she's finally let go. Now, they can live their own lives. You know that Jasper has always been in love with Lia." "Jasper, marriage isn't child's play. Moreover, she …""Dad, we've signed t
The Heightsnew Villa in Belbanks was home to the Taylor family. The Rolls-Royce stopped on the red carpet leading to the door of the building. Silas came out to welcome his sister and opened the car door for her."Welcome back, princess!" Alyssa's delicate face looked even more stunning under the dazzling lights. When she got in the car, she had changed from sneakers to heels. Therefore, she now looked elegant, like a queen. "How have you guys been, Silas?""Great. It's even better now that you're back. Did you enjoy the fireworks? My birthday gift for you attracted the whole city's attention. It was even trending on social media!" Silas' handsome face was filled with excitement. "Yes. I saw it. The people were guessing if it was a tycoon trying to romance his wife, and some even said you were corny. Congratulations on unlocking a new achievement, Silas." Alyssa smiled and clapped her hands. Silas ignored her sarcasm and excitedly hugged her. "Lyse, you won't leave us again
Five days later, Jasper called his secretary, Xavier Hall, to his office. "How is the investigation on Alice White going?"Jasper looked out from the floor-to-ceiling windows at Solana City. His tall, upright figure projected an overbearing silhouette. "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Beckett. There isn't any progress," Xavier nervously reported."After Madam Alice left that night, she didn't return to the sanatorium where she worked. I even went to her address only to find out that it was fake. There weren't any families with the last name White in that area.""The address is fake?" Jasper was shocked. He finally turned to look at Xavier, his gaze oppressive."Yes. I went to the local police station to check things out, but there is no such person." Xavier had addressed her as Madam Alice for three years. It was hard for him to change this habit. Jasper was stunned. Who did he marry? Was she a spy? "She left with Jonah Taylor that night. There's nothing related to him?""To be honest, i
That was how she heard the executives talking behind her back. "How dare they say that! You're the Taylor family's only daughter, and the daughter of the first wife. Are they out of their minds?" Alyssa's secretary, Sean Lynch, was furious. "Come on. That mindset is old-fashioned. Who cares about whether I'm the first wife's daughter? I don't care, so why should you bother?" Alyssa narrowed her eyes and pinched Sean's face. Instantly, the young secretary blushed."Alyssa, you're the future president of KS Group. Can you at least act with dignity? Don't tease Sean." Jonah frowned slightly. "What's the matter? Big bosses are allowed to tease their female secretaries. Why can't a female boss touch her male secretary's face?" Alyssa snickered. "It's his honor to be touched by me!"Jonah shook his head, his eyes showing only love and tenderness.Soon, the executives surrounded Jonah and Alyssa. Michael Grant, one of the VPs, took them to the VIP elevator, but Alyssa said, "I want t
Alyssa was shocked to see the name on Jonah's phone. "Should I answer it?" Jonah asked."Yes!" He slowly answered the call and put it on speaker, but he was in no hurry to speak. "Mr. Jonah, are you with my wife?" Jasper asked in a hoarse voice.Alyssa found his words incendiary and became furious in an instant. "Mr. Jasper, please mind your words. I'm your ex-wife.""Alice White, I knew you'd be with him." Jasper's tone was deep. "Should I be waiting at your house to be kicked out, then?"On the other end of the call, Jasper's expression turned dark. "I advise you not to be in such a hurry. We haven't completed the procedures, and the divorce certificate hasn't been issued. You're still legally my wife. Please be mindful of the Becketts' reputation as if it's your own.""You took Liana Gardner to Seaview Manor and forced me to sign the papers. Jasper Beckett, did you care for my reputation when you did that?" Alyssa sneered, then continued, "One-sided courtesy doesn't mea
Inside the ward, the sickly Newton instantly saw a lift in spirits upon seeing Alyssa. "Alice, come over here!"In the next second, Alyssa changed her persona and obediently stood beside Newton. "Grandpa, how are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?""Even if it hurts, I feel cured after seeing you." Newton pulled her hand and asked worriedly, "Alice, this bastard told me you guys are divorced. Is that true?""Yes. Grandpa, we're divorced." Alyssa's eyelashes trembled, and her heart felt empty."You blind bastard! You have such a great wife, yet you don't know how to appreciate her." Newton expended all his strength to get up and glared at Jasper.Jasper was worried about Newton's condition and dared not speak rashly."Grandpa, don't be mad at him. I don't want to continue this marriage. I think it's better for us to break up." Alyssa gently comforted him and patted his back.Jasper's eyes narrowed as he thought, "She's not complaining to my grandfather or using him to vent her a
"Liana? Are you okay?" Sophia was shocked, but she also wanted to laugh. Jasper quickly walked over to pull her up from the ground, but she refused to move."Jasper, it hurts. Carry me." Liana's knees felt numb, and she cried while whining. Seeing this, Alyssa crossed her arms and looked at the woman on the ground. She was really a fake bitch, making her a good match for Jasper, who was blind to her tricks. "Jasper … Alice pushed me!" Liana hid in the man's arms and glared at Alyssa viciously. "Lia, what are you talking about?" He was taken aback."Are you sure I pushed you?" Alyssa wasn't angry. Instead, she laughed and watched Liana's act."Could I have fallen to the ground by myself, then?" Liana was so angry that her gentle voice was a pitch higher."It's possible. After all, you look so weak you could die anytime. Maybe a breeze made you fall.""You … Are you jinxing me?" Liana's face was red from anger. "You clearly pushed me when I walked over. What, don't you dare
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