"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
Ada was left stunned. She was rendered speechless by a mixture of gratitude and awe. For years, she had relentlessly pursued a piece of jewelry from Alexa, but her efforts had always come to naught. It was no surprise that she now felt an overwhelming sense of joy as Alyssa presented her with this exquisite gift."N-no, no, I cannot accept this, Ms. Alyssa. It is far too precious of a gift," Ada politely declined. She had to keep her appearances up, after all."This brooch has been my solace during the darkest times of my life, soothing my wounded soul. I've since learned my lesson," Alyssa said. "That's why I want you to have this brooch as a blessing from me, in hopes that your endeavors come to fruition no matter what."Jasper winced, as if a bullet had pierced his heart. A shiver ran down his spine at Alyssa's confession."Oh! Well then … I graciously accept your gift. Thank you, truly!" Ada carefully cradled the brooch in her hands, her smile stretching wide.Her image as
Just like that, Alyssa and Ada left the hall, walking closely together as if they were lifelong friends.An awkward and tense silence settled over the crowd. Jasper silently watched as Alyssa left, fury slowly building in his chest. She had stolen his project last time, and now she had taken his guest.Jasper thought that Alyssa Taylor was just like a thief, heiress or not. He instinctively clutched his chest, feeling an ache in his heart.It seemed like something had also been taken away with Alyssa's departure.…The paparazzi were still relentless, camped outside the main entrance of the Berenike Hotel. They should have dispersed by now, assuming that Ada had checked into the presidential suite and retired for the night. However, the number of paparazzi showed no sign of diminishing.Sean had secretly tipped them off, claiming that something big would happen tonight."Why on earth are we here freezing our backsides off? What kind of major news could possibly be unfolding?
The party at Berenike Hotel continued, though it had lost a significant amount of its enthusiasm with the departure of their guest of honor.Zoe had longed to show off in front of Ada to feed her unbelievably swollen ego. But now that the celebrity was gone, all her hard work and planning had gone down the drain—all because of that sneaky bitch Alyssa.Jasper stood in the hallway, watching the green Rolls Royce drive away in the dark of the night. His posture was rigid and stoic, and the air around him seemed to go down a few degrees."This might not sound very nice, Mr. Jasper, but I believe we've been played the fool again," Xavier reported shakily. He continued, "Everyone online is focused on Alyssa and her hotel, leaving ours in the dust. Even Mr. Javier has caught wind of it."Berenike Hotel's reputation is facing serious scrutiny, with some malicious comments questioning whether our standards of hospitality have declined …"Xavier was practically drenched in cold sweat by
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"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,