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
The headlines for the next three days were all about Ada Kingsley's visit to Solana City. The news had helped Berenike Hotel regain its footing in international recognition. They had enjoyed a reputation like no other for several decades, becoming the number one place to stay for all kinds of personalities. Their guests included diplomats, athletes, doctors, professors, and other world-famous bigshots. Even Cyrris' previous president stayed in this hotel once.However, its reputation had steadily soured as one scandal after another rocked the Beckett Group. Nowadays, when discussions turned to the company, all that netizens could talk about were Jasper being cuckolded and Liana's reprehensible actions.Reputation and goodwill were something that took time to build. Yet, they could always shatter into nothingness in the blink of an eye.Ada's arrival would not only promote Berenike Hotel, but it would also help build Beckett Group's image back up.That was why Jasper wanted no
Sophia instantly introduced herself, a hint of pride in her tone. "I'm Beckett Group's president's wife, Sophia Kirkman.""I don't understand what she's saying, Mr. Jasper. You don't need to translate for me, though. I'm not interested in her." Ada didn't look at Sophia again, continuing her conversation in Furancian with Jasper.Sophia could only understand a quarter of what they were saying. When she was about to re-introduce herself in Furancian, Jasper said lightly to Ada, "We don't see eye to eye, and I don't plan on introducing irrelevant people to you either, Ms. Kingsley."Sophia froze in place upon hearing that.A flurry of snickers and sarcasm rose from the crowd around her."Wow! Ada's really brave for turning down Mrs. Beckett like that. Who knew she was just as flawless when being herself as she was when acting?""Are you kidding me? Why would Ada Kingsley give a shit about our country's business and economy? She's Mosgravian, for God's sake. 'Beckett Group's preside
Zoe's back was to the entrance, so Jasper's gaze was fixed right on her."Jasper …" she murmured, blushing red as she strode up to him.Suddenly, a sensual scent, like the smell of roses, wafted in from around her, whispering of danger.Someone walked past her, their heels clicking loudly against the floor. Zoe felt herself overcome by their force of unwavering confidence. Jasper stared sternly at Alyssa as she walked over to them. The latter was clad in a woman's suit, and her fiery red lipstick made his heart leap at the sight. A wave of intense gossip and hushed conversations swept through the crowd. It was impossible for anyone not to have noticed her by this point. Sophia and Betty were both left in shock by her sudden arrival."Hold on, I recognize her—she was featured in a magazine not too long ago. She's the daughter of Winston Taylor, who happens to be the President of KS Group, and she also manages KS World Hotel!""Yeah! Her name is Alyssa Taylor!""Was she the o
"Don't you even think about it! She is Winston Taylor's daughter. Besides, she's also someone whom Mr. Jasper cares for deeply. Do you want to get fired? Pay more attention to your surroundings and report any discrepancies to me immediately!""Oh my goodness!" Ada gasped suddenly. "Is that Alexa's 'Ragnarok' that you're wearing, Ms. Alyssa?""Yes, ma'am," Alyssa acknowledged, gesturing toward her brooch. Amid their intense focus on her, the yellow diamond-studded, internationally award-winning piece in her breast pocket remained entirely overlooked."Alexa's 'Ragnarok?' The renowned and elusive jewelry designer, Alexa?""Haven't you seen the news? This brooch is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars! A single ten-carat yellow diamond studded on it is worth over ten thousand. Every jewelry collector wants their hand on this amazing piece!""She truly does present herself well as Belbanks' richest heiress!""Not even Sophia Kirkman's 'Halcyon' can compare. Forget it. No jewelry ca
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
"Don't say that. You've done really well so far!" Xavier said gently, his voice a steady anchor as he tried to comfort Julien.He continued, "Many people spend their whole lives unable to quit even common drugs. The substance Mr. Beckett took is far more potent. The fact that he's found any relief at all is remarkable."Jasper's senses gradually returned, but he was left drained, and his eyes struggled to focus. "Julien…" "I'm right here," Julien murmured, leaning in to gently wipe the tears and cold sweat from Jasper's face with a tissue. Struggling for breath, Jasper rasped, "Keep my condition… a secret… especially from her." Julien didn't need to ask who he meant. It had to be Alyssa. It wasn't pride that fueled Jasper's plea. It was something deeper—a desperate wish to shield Alyssa from the sight of his brokenness, to spare her the disappointment of seeing him like this.Xavier helped Jasper to stand before addressing Julien. "Dr. Lovelace, I hope you understand—the f