In the main hall, Jonah, Silas, and the properly dressed Cyrus welcomed Victor and his second son into their home, with Mandy and Colene by their side."Jonah, Silas! You both seem to grow more handsome with each passing day! Oh, pardon me, I should address you as the president and the prosecutor now!""Mandy, is this your youngest son? I remember him being a mischievous and adorable little boy the last time we met. He has grown into such a handsome young man! What is he working as?" Victor Schmidt, the chairman of the Schmidt Group, exchanged hearty handshakes with all the Taylor siblings."I'm a policeman. I'm working in the Criminal Investigation Unit," Cyrus answered."Oh, you joined the police force?" Victor's eyes flickered with surprise. To him, being a police officer was one of the least desirable positions, given the comparatively low pay and the inherent risks associated with the job.More importantly, the career progression was limited. The best Cyrus could do was to be
"How are you doing, Uncle Winston?" David Schmidt went up and greeted Winston. He bore little resemblance to Jameson because they were half-siblings.David was more genderless in his appearance, in stark contrast to Jameson's burly yet slender physique, characterized by chiseled features and thick brows. Jameson shared the same razor-sharp gaze as their dad, Victor."David! I'm fine. How are you doing?" Winston beamed affectionately at David, who grew up before his eyes. "Vic, I thought you were also bringing your youngest son along. It's been quite some time since I last saw your fourth son. Will he not join us today?""That little rascal claimed he was tied up with something, so he'll be arriving late," Victor remarked as he surveyed the surroundings. Victor asked with curiosity, "Winston, didn't you mention that Lyse would be joining us as well? Where is she?"Winston cleared his throat and replied, "Well, Lyse mentioned she'd be here once she had finished dealing with somet
The hall fell into a deep silence. There was a shift in the air.Alyssa turned around and looked into Jameson's eyes with surprise. David's face fell at Jameson calling her nickname.Winston looked at his dear daughter before turning to Jameson. Still, he calmly remarked, "Oh, did you pick up Lyse? Sorry to trouble you.""It's nothing, Uncle Winston."Silas nudged Jonah and whispered, "When did Lyse become so friendly with Jameson? Why didn't I know about it?""Does she need to share every detail with you?" Jonah replied carelessly."Did you know about them?""Yes.""Are you freaking boasting about it?""I made Jameson pick her up."Silas let out an audible gasp. "How could you push our dear sister into the arms of a random man? You don't even know if he can be trusted. What if he were ill-intentioned and laid his fingers on her on the way here?""Him falling for Lyse is normal. Even gay men would fall for her charm. You don't have to worry about her safety, though." Jonah j
At dinner, the Taylor family and the guests enjoyed the feast in harmony and savored the Chateau Lafite Rothschild that Winston had stored for years.For Winston and Victor, the dinner was just another ordinary catch-up, like what they always did 20 years ago. The only difference was the presence of their children.Furthermore, Victor had an ulterior motive this time—to assess his future daughter-in-law.David sat across Alyssa at the long and wide table while Jameson was seated beside her. Jameson had gained the upper hand because he was closer to her.David could only stare with envy as his brother attentively cared for Alyssa. He almost crushed the utensils in frustration as he agonized at starting on the wrong foot. That little prick Jameson had gained a head start!Jameson discovered Alyssa's penchant for seafood, particularly crabs and shrimps, through their previous dinner date. If there had been no time limit, she would have indulged in seafood all day long.With that k
David's face fell when Jameson made a jab at him. He curled his fists.The Taylor family chose to ignore the siblings' rivalry, except for Victor, who shot Jameson a furious glance."She still needs something to warm her up. Lyse, I'll get you some white wine. It's perfectly fine to enjoy a little drink." Jameson smiled gently, ignoring the pale David.She coughed and replied, "I'm fine with anything." Feeling uneasy about being caught in the middle of the two siblings, she declined their offers in an attempt to defuse the situation. "I'd actually prefer a beer—"Surprisingly, they turned to her at the same time, warning, "No! You might get gout!"…When the dinner drew to a close, Jameson excused himself from the table and headed to the washroom. There, he dispensed loads of handwash into his hands. His pale hands looked like they were specimens in Formalin. He scrubbed his hands until they turned a shade of red.After five times of handwashing, he brought his hands to his
As long as Jasper could meet her …The doors to Heightsnew Villa groaned as it slowly opened. Jasper's heart leaped into his throat, and he tensed up. He leaned forward and stared a hole into the gates. Even his breathing grew heavier in anticipation.His heart sank when Jameson appeared in his vision with an amused expression. He watched as his rival walked up to him."Mr. Beckett, isn't it rather inappropriate to arrive unannounced on a quiet night like this?" Jameson's eyes held a mocking glint.Jasper remained composed and smirked. "That's none of your business. The Schmidts don't run Belbanks.""Are you always this stubborn and this pathetic of a sore loser?" Scoffing, Jameson said, "I know why you showed up, and I know what's on your mind. "You regretted choosing Liana over Lyse. You finally recognized your foolishness after being lied to, and you're now on a mission to get back with Lyse to recoup your losses and save some dignity."What do you take her as? A tool to e
Jasper, standing with his back facing her, felt a thrill in his heart as a smile flashed across his lips. However, he did not have the courage to face Alyssa.Meanwhile, Jameson pursed his lips. A storm was brewing in his eyes. Alyssa and Jasper might have divorced on bad terms, but he sensed the complicated feelings that lingered between the two."Since you're already here, why don't you clear the air before you leave?" She took a step forward and stared at Jasper's straight back. "Don't skulk around like a thief. You're going to give me nightmares."His Adam's apple moved. He turned to her and said, word by word, "Nothing. I've just been losing sleep these past few days."She frowned as she was puzzled by the relationship between his Belbanks trip and his insomnia. Was his insomnia related to her?Speechless, she felt unfairly blamed for his troubles. She certainly hadn't caused him any problems!"Take your sleeping pills if you're having trouble sleeping. Coming to Belbanks
Winston grew stern like he was at the court. "Lyse only eats the shrimps peeled by you and me. She has never allowed any other men to serve her! "That Jameson fellow was overly passionate toward her. He almost hand-fed her the food, and she did not seem resistant. Tell me, what's their relationship? Has Lyse fallen for him?""Dad, you don't sound like you like Jameson," Jonah pointed out. Winston responded with a silent pout."Jameson and Lyse have known each other since childhood, and they get along well after reuniting. It was rare to see her getting along with someone from the opposite sex. "On top of that, we are family friends with the Schmidts. It will be good news if they end up with each other," Jonah calmly explained his rationale."You know Uncle Victor's agenda for this visit. He intended to set up a marriage between the Schdmits and the Taylors. Why else would he have brought his two single sons along? He had his eyes on Lyse!" Winston stared at the ground and shoo
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