"What's wrong, Sean?" Alyssa asked, feeling worried now. She had never seen Sean so pitiful and upset. His eyes were reddened, his lips as pallid as a stray pup rescued from the gutters. "Is this about Sophia?" Jonah asked, walking over to them. His gaze was kind as he rubbed his hands clean with a cotton cloth.Alyssa noticed there was redness on it and sighed internally. She still couldn't stop her brother from taking revenge in the end. She cursed silently, pondering when her moment to shine would finally arrive. "I'm sorry … I'm so sorry!" Sean cried, nearly sobbing.Just as Alyssa was wondering what was going on, her second brother called."Silas?""Sophia Kirkman just left my custody, Lyse." His tone was more exasperation than anything else. "My team tried all we could to gather information and evidence on Sophia's crimes these past few days, but she seemed to have already prepared her defenses. "Her cousin is taking responsibility for all crimes. Javier has also found
"Find Liana's daughter. I need to set the bait beforehand, though." Alyssa narrowed her eyes slyly. "Curtis said only Liana's mother, Rosaline, knows her whereabouts, so we'll have to let her lead the way for us."Jonah smiled. "What about Liana Gardner?""Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad." Alyssa sat back, yawning. "Isn't she about to marry Jasper Beckett? We can't make her crash and burn without first letting her sit in the high seat."Jonah pursed his lips, suddenly recalling what Curtis had said earlier. "Jasper Beckett is a blind, foolish man, Lyse.""I couldn't care less. I've regained my sight regardless, so he'd better stay out of my way."Alyssa took out her phone, recalling the pictures she had taken of Jameson from days ago. "By the way, see if you recognize this guy. He saved me from a potentially serious injury when Curtis attacked earlier today.""Really?" Jonah said, "We'll have to properly thank him then.""But he has been quite mysterious and
After nearly a week spent in the Investigative Bureau, Sophia finally walked out, heaving her tired body like a lump of sand. Without her makeup and skincare routine, she seemed to have aged an additional decade. Even her hair had more gray strands than before.She avoided the crowd of reporters and decided not to go home first. Javier would probably pass out at the sight of her. So Betty accompanied her to a beauty parlor, where she could wash up, pluck away her gray hairs, and put on some makeup before going back."We'll go see Liana first." Sophia plucked away the hair around her lips as she spoke. "I have to check up on her. She's my niece, after all. That way, your Dad's image of me will maintain."She couldn't have her carefully crafted persona of twenty-five years crash just like that."I couldn't believe she pulled such a trick, Mom!" Betty cried. She hated Liana. Yet, she couldn't help but feel upset by the memory of that bloody bathtub. "Whether or not Jasper takes the ba
Sophia's face was lined with tears as she gazed sadly and lovingly at Javier. "I thought I'd never see you again. I've suffered so much, Javier. I was so scared …"Javier did not feel an ounce of pity for her right now. He had undergone too much these past few days to spend energy making her feel better. Just then, the news channel came on the television. It was news of KS Group's CEO, Jonah Taylor, signing the Verdane Valley project joint venture with Orlander Hodgson and his company. The two exchanged contracts, then shook hands as the reporters frantically took pictures of this historical moment. Jasper stared at the screen, hand slowly tightening around his glass. Javier's face was darkening at the same time.Their milk was spilled, and it was all because of Alyssa Taylor!Sophia's heart skipped a beat, and then she quickly grabbed Javier's arm. "Ms. Alyssa is too cruel to us! How have we offended her? She not only stole our company's project, but she even tried to send me t
Rosaline sat beside Liana, consoling her. "Your uncle spent a lot of money to hire Mr. Simon to save your aunt from the Bureau. Clearly, he cares deeply for her. "I'm sure now that your aunt is able to help, you'll definitely be able to marry Jasper! Hasn't he been coming over frequently? I'm confident your relationship has grown even closer!"She was grinning like a fox who had eaten the canary, feeling that her position as an in-law to the Beckett family was now 100% secure. Rosaline added, "You know what Jasper's temper is like. He would never have come if he didn't like you anymore.""I guess so … I just… don't feel good about all this," Liana said as she recalled the look Jasper had given her earlier today. "Yes, he's been by my side all these days, but it feels like he's changed.""That's enough. Don't go overthinking now."Just then, the door opened. It was Jasper.Liana swiftly put up her frail, meek mask. "Jas-Jasper …"Jasper went up to her side, his expression flat
Alyssa couldn't understand Winston's persistence. She wondered why she couldn't have a say in the matter. "I'm in a meeting, Winston. We can chit-chat in private, not here," she grunted lowly."Chit-chat? Your marriage is no mere chit-chat!" Winston snorted. "If you want to become KS Group's CEO, then you have to attend this!"Alyssa cursed silently at Winston. She couldn't help but wonder if Jasper had put him up to this. "Alright, fine! But not today. I'm in a meeting now!" Alyssa sighed. She was taking things slow now, never taking more than she could chew."Hmph. Alright. You can't refuse forever."Alyssa scowled, thinking to herself, "Try harder, old man!"The rest of the meeting went by awkwardly, with the team members fearful of upsetting Alyssa and getting into trouble.Afterward, Alyssa returned to her office and lay back on her sofa, resembling a robot that had run out of battery—utterly motionless.Sean came into the room with coffee, asking, "Is something wrong w
As a result of Winston's grave concern and meddling, Alyssa's blind dating schedule had been expedited.She was putting on makeup in the bathroom while listening to Sean reading her schedule on the iPad from the outside."Lunch at 11:30 am with Mr. Manning of Hutton Group; tea break at 1:30 pm with the eldest son of Sandhurst Inc.'s Mr. Coppola; attend a privately booked musical at 3:30 pm with the second son of Zoleva Corp's Mr. Cruz …"She was taken aback upon hearing that because that meant one blind date every two hours. Her schedule was more hectic than the president of a nation!Soon, she emerged from the bathroom after her makeup session. Sean burst into laughter upon seeing her. "Ms. Alyssa, you went pretty hard."She wore a huge curly wig and drew some freckles on her face. A patch of black stuff was underneath her nose, like a mustache. She rested an arm against the doorframe and made a gesture of picking her nose."Is this 'going hard'? I was thinking of drawing some s
Alyssa had to wonder if her suitors truly fell for her charm underneath her hideous appearance or if they were too eager to marry the daughter of Winston Taylor. Even she would barf at her own face. How did they remain calm in front of her?Power was indeed a great motivator, prompting her suitors to turn a blind eye to her looks.Thankfully, she had plan B ready.During her lunch with the first suitor, she suggested showing off her talent by reading his fortune through palmistry. She informed the man that he had the health of a seventy-year-old despite being only thirty, causing his face to fall as he stormed out of the venue.During her tea break with the second suitor, she kept staring at the space behind the man until he felt a shiver down his spine."Ms. Taylor, what are you staring at?""Dylan, there's a kid standing behind you. He's looking at you. Are you sure you don't want him to join us?" Her voice took a creepy turn. "He looks … pretty … pitiful …"Dylan Coppola fl