After returning from a management meeting, Jasper rested on the leather chair in the Beckett Group president's office, visibly exhausted.News of his breakup with Liana must have spread within the company. Nonetheless, not one employee in the building dared to gossip about him lest they got into trouble.As the vice chair of the board of directors, Jasper was de facto yielding the most power in the company. Somehow, that did not bring him any happiness at all."I'm surprised that Sophia was able to pay off the Gardners' debts. It looks like she has siphoned quite a lot of money. This is the perfect time to pay it all back." Xavier gloated at Sophia's misfortune."Henry was her tool to collect wealth, but he's in jail now. The fact that she could afford to pay the tens of millions in debt goes to show that she has other channels of getting the money." Jasper's half-opened eyes gleamed dangerously."Could she have made money … from that luxury store, EV Concepts?" Xavier widened his
Zoe Harper was Landon's younger sibling, and her growth into adulthood was a story that unfolded before Jasper's very eyes.As the eldest brother, Landon doted on Zoe very much, just like how Jonah and the Taylor siblings treated Alyssa.After some thought, Jasper relented. "Fine, pick me up."…Night had fallen over the land. Landon had secured a box with the best view on the second floor of the Solana City National Theater, all set to enjoy Zoe's performance.He had also arranged for a camera to be set up in the box. He was excitedly adjusting the camera settings, planning to record Zoe's entire performance.Jasper sat beside him, crossing his slender legs. He shot a disdainful look at Landon, who was behaving somewhat like a paparazzi."The hosting organization will record the performance and present the CD to the performing guest. Quit embarrassing yourself with your amateur skills.""What do you know, you nitwit? My recording is full of love. It's different from the offici
When the piano concert officially began, Christina Hammond gracefully made her way to the stage, dressed in a velvety navy gown. She took her seat at the piano and proceeded to perform her self-composed song, the one that had catapulted her to fame—"Whispers of the Four Seasons."The audience sat in silence, captivated by the melody.However, Alyssa couldn't tear her gaze away from Christina's exquisite navy dress. It was a one-of-a-kind haute couture piece designed by the renowned fashion designer Sharon, who happened to be Alyssa herself. Sharon's creations were reserved for accomplished and talented celebrities like Christina.Jasper, too, found himself distracted from the performance. His fists clenched, and he trembled visibly. Throughout the performance, he directed an intense and fiery glare at Alyssa.Occasionally, Jameson and Alyssa leaned in to whisper to each other. She nodded and smiled, clearly engrossed in their conversation.Jasper's lips remained tightly purs
The tension in the air was almost palpable. Caught off guard, Alyssa inadvertently locked eyes with Jasper. She furrowed his brow in annoyance.Jameson, too, found himself unexpectedly caught up in the situation. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses with an unemotional façade that quickly transformed into a sheepish expression. "I'm sorry, Ms. Taylor. I had no idea he'd be here when I invited you along. I'll forgo Madam Hammond's autograph. Let's go."Alyssa, however, remained composed. She flashed a cool smile and stood her ground. "No need to worry. I'm perfectly fine. There's no reason to avoid my ex-husband. I want you to get that autograph to fulfill your mother's wish."Jameson widened his eyes at her, seemingly touched by her words. In contrast, her ex-husband's face fell.Jasper could hear her reply loud and clear as they stood not far away from each other.Throughout the concert, he had been seething with anger, and he finally lost it when Alyssa mentioned Jameson's mo
Alyssa raised her chin and confidently strode toward Jasper. He could feel his heart racing as he watched her approach, his whole body tensing up with anticipation. He desperately wanted to approach her.Frowning deeply, Zoe tightened her grip on Jasper possessively. She could tell that Jasper knew the beautiful Alyssa. More than that, he seemed to care about Alyssa a lot!Just as Jasper believed Alyssa was headed toward him, she breezed past him."Christina!" Alyssa left behind an astonished Jasper and called out to someone with a wide smile."Oh! My sweetheart!" Christina strolled over from the far end of the corridor, waving excitedly at Alyssa as though they were long-lost friends. They evidently shared a close bond.The three men stared agape. Even Zoe was dumbfounded at the scene. Christina had always been distant and aloof. Throughout their three-year mentorship, she seldom praised Zoe and often appeared annoyed.What did Alyssa do to elicit a rare smile from Christina?"
As they exited the theater, Zoe clung to Jasper, just like how she did when they were younger. She blabbered about her experiences abroad and professed her longing for him.The only difference was that she'd hold hands with both Landon and Jasper when she was a kid. Now, she treated Landon like a servant, completely disregarding him. She only had eyes for Jasper.Landon trailed behind them with a gloomy expression. Even his sister had ditched him after Alyssa rejected him. He started having doubts about his attractiveness.Upon reaching the parking garage, Jasper abruptly came to a stop. He took a deep breath and firmly withdrew his hand from Zoe's grip."Jasper, what's wrong?" She blinked innocently, her hand left suspended in mid-air."Zoe." He turned to her, looking cold and distant, a stark contrast to how he acted around her when they were kids. She froze up in panic. "You're not a child anymore. Some of your behavior is inappropriate.""What's inappropriate about it? Yo
The night was illuminated only by the solitary presence of the moon. Jasper's Maybach pulled up at the gates of Seaview Manor, and he stepped out alone. He instructed the chauffeur, "Send Xavier home. I'll head in alone.""But Mr. Jasper, we heard thunder on our way back. It will rain soon." Xavier's face was full of concern. The distance from the gate to the manor is quite far. I'll send you in.""I'm fine." Jasper coldly adjusted the knot of his tie. "I feel a little stuffy. A short walk will do me good. You should head back.""Alright, then," Xavier reluctantly agreed but kept a watchful eye on Jasper until the Maybach disappeared from view.With a heavy sigh, Jasper continued on his path toward the manor. Just a few steps later, the ominous sound of thunder echoed through the night.The rain was pouring relentlessly outside. By the time Jasper arrived at the manor, he was thoroughly drenched. The cold fall winds and rain had assailed him mercilessly, further adding to the
Betty was one of Zoe's few friends. Zoe had befriended Betty primarily because Betty hailed from the esteemed Beckett family. Zoe deemed Betty worthy of her friendship."Gosh, Betty, you look gorgeous today! And you've even brought gifts. You really didn't have to do that," Zoe smiled brightly and welcomed Betty at the entrance. They held hands like best friends. "Zoe, I missed you so! You look prettier than when we last met!" Betty complimented Zoe with a hidden agenda.Knowing that Landon adored his sister, Betty believed that forming a strong friendship with Zoe would give her a valid reason to visit the Harper Residence. Her plan involved playing the long game by winning over Penelope Harper's affection and eventually getting Zoe to speak highly of her to Landon.It was only a matter of time before she and Landon talked about marriage. She couldn't help but gloat over her clever plan."I came back from my Sedona trip a few days ago and picked up some souvenirs. I bought som
"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,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa