Jasper sat in his office, quietly gazing at his desktop. Each time he clicked his mouse, a different picture would appear on the monitor.All of the pictures featured none other than Alyssa herself.These were the pictures Xavier had taken after shadowing her over the past few days. His initial goal had been to gather information about KS World Hotel's next move. However, he had only succeeded in capturing these candid, everyday-life images of her.Jasper's gaze was intense as he examined the pictures, as though he were hoping they might spring to life at any moment.Just then, his phone vibrated.Then it vibrated again.Then again.It went on for ten more times. Jasper pursed his lips as he looked at the notifications. What he saw made his heart leap to his throat. He swiftly got his coat and ran out the office door.…Alyssa and Cyrus had a blast catching up with each other at the Tenggrian barbecue place, topping each other off with wine every twenty minutes.Alyssa
Cyrus wasn't fond of males who got close to his sister, save for their siblings."Cool it, will you, Cyrus? He's no stranger." Alyssa chuckled."No, he's not. But he's still a man." Cyrus shot Sean a look. "You should really consider a female personal assistant.""Damn. This police job is really getting to you, Cyrus. Not everyone's a criminal, you know," Alyssa said as she swayed on her feet."There's no harm in being alert."Cyrus helped Alyssa get in the car and shut the door. Sean nodded politely at him and was about to head to the driver's seat when Cyrus said, "Wait.""Yes, Mr. Cyrus?" Sean asked solemnly."I understand that given your position as Lyse's secretary, you have to stay around her all the time." Cyrus' gaze was sharp as a hawk. "However, you are also expected to keep yourself in check. What doesn't belong to you will never belong to you, so don't cross the line. Ever. "I am not as tolerant as Jonah or Silas. I have seen the vilest depths of evil a human is
When Jasper finally reached the barbecue restaurant, Alyssa and her "companion" had long left. He gritted his teeth, recalling how she had been so intimately close to him in the pictures Xavier sent him.Jasper felt like a fool at the moment. However, he couldn't shake his concern about Alyssa coming to such a place late at night for a meal. Did she not understand the concept of boundaries?His phone suddenly rang with an unknown number."Yes?"A monotonous female voice asked, "Is this Mr. Jasper Beckett?" "Yes.""This is the East Solana Police Bureau. What is your relation to Xavier Hall?"Jasper's brows furrowed. "He's my secretary. What's going on?""Please come over to the station."…The night seemed to be passing by like a dream. Jasper couldn't for the life of him figure out how Xavier had gotten himself arrested by the police.When he entered the police station, he came face to face with a man in a black leather jacket. This was the man who was with Alyssa earlier!Cyrus caref
Jasper turned around slowly to find Alyssa standing a couple of steps behind him. Her eyes were cold and flat as they locked onto his."Why did you come all the way here, Lyse?" Cyrus ignored Jasper and went up to her. "I told you I would handle this myself. You should be getting to bed.""No. I need to take care of this myself." She then turned to Jasper, her gaze icy. The sight made Jasper's heart clench. She had never shown him an ounce of warmth since their divorce. Jasper was honestly more frightened than angry over this nowadays. Deep inside, he felt terrified at the thought of being treated like a stranger by Alyssa. He would rather she hated him with all her passion than treat her so coldly."Alyssa …""Walk with me," Alyssa said, then walked out of the police station. Jasper was about to walk when Cyrus grabbed his shoulder. "Hey! Let me remind you to keep yourself in line. This is the police department. Any silly moves, and I'll lock you up for a week!""You're h
Alyssa had almost snarled the word "shameless".Winston Taylor's children had always been cherished and nurtured by him and his wife, Lyla. They were provided with abundant support and room to chase their aspirations and realize their dreams. Alyssa had once thought she could do the same for her love with Jasper, choosing to leave her home to be with him. However, all that transpired was her putting herself in jeopardy and Jasper gradually stripping away her pride and her heart, layer by layer, until she could bear it no longer.She had acted foolishly then. Now that she had regained her senses and returned home, her decision to take on the mantle as the family's heiress was to empower her siblings to do the same.Alyssa didn't want her and her family's life to be disrupted any further, but that seemed to be all that Jasper was accomplishing.She couldn't take it anymore."Shameless?" Jasper's eye grew hooded. He pressed his hands beside her head, leaning in close. "So you d
Jasper was about to punch Cyrus in the face when Alyssa cried, "Don't hit my brother!"That made Jasper freeze instantly, and his hand paused in mid-air.Cyrus leaped on the chance to land a punch on his cheek, the skin at his lip breaking from the force.Jasper hissed, the taste of blood filling his mouth. He stumbled back just the slightest, wincing in pain.Alyssa looked on in shock, not expecting Jasper to have actually listened to her. Jasper just stood there and let Cyrus hit him.Cyrus hurried back to protect his sister, glaring at Jasper, whose lip was now bleeding. "Touch my sister again, and I'll kill you, bastard!"Unbeknownst to him, Alyssa was grateful that Jasper had actually let up on her brother. If he hadn't, Cyrus might have ended up in the hospital.…Alyssa didn't press charges in the end. She knew what kind of person Xavier was, having spent time knowing him for three years. Xavier followed Jasper back to the car like a wounded dog, hunched over and wit
Three days passed in a blur. News of Ada Kingsley's arrival in Solana City reached both national and international media in a blitz of reports.On the night of the welcoming party, Ada Kingsley arrived at Berenike Hotel dressed in a lavender haute couture gown, her hair styled into waves that cascaded down to her knees.Sophia had invited herself to the party. Her hair was styled in an elaborate bird's nest atop her head, revealing two large sapphire earrings and a teardrop-shaped sapphire at her neck. They were named "Halcyon" by its creator. It looked like she had a mini apartment building on her head."Didn't you have another piece of crystal prettier than this teardrop, Mom? Why aren't you wearing that one?" Betty asked curiously.Sophia gritted her teeth, hand clenching around her necklace. "Because of that bitch, Liana! God knows what she and her family got into, owing that much debt! "With my shop having no sales and the police still on the lookout, I had no choice but t
"But Mom, I'll be able to help you when I marry Landon." Betty was pale with shock at her mother's reaction.Sophia pursed her lips, eyes turning dark. She suddenly asked, "How far along is Zoe and Jasper?""What do you mean by how far along? Jasper seems to be still infatuated with that whore, Alyssa. Zoe has no chance whatsoever.""Good.""Mom?""Don't you see? This is a great chance to distance Landon and Jasper from one another!" Sophia prodded her daughter's forehead. She continued, "Landon is his father's only son. Even if his father is still leading the company and family, Landon is bound to take over the mantle sooner or later!"Using Zoe to form a rift between Jasper and Landon was a far better deal than having her marry into the family. "I know Jasper. He never surrenders no matter how much you push him. Regardless, Zoe will still become the thing that separates them in the end!"Betty looked in awe at her mother, now understanding her plan.Suddenly, a faint knoc