"Even if Alyssa and I are divorced, that does not mean you get to do anything to her." Jasper took slow steps forward, a dark surge rising in his eyes.Javier bristled angrily, meeting his son's gaze.Betty was shocked by the murderous gleam in Jasper's eyes as well, but she quickly recovered. She went up to her father, gently kneading his shoulders. She said, "Alright, Dad. Don't get so worked up because of Alyssa. Though she might have the upper hand now, it's not over yet. The odds might still be in our favor in the end."Javier frowned. "Do you have a plan, Betty?""Yes, Dad. All I need is to have the authority to manage this project. I'll win Ada Kingsley back from Alyssa Taylor's hands!" Betty grinned. "The news can say what they want about Ada choosing KS World, but we all know things can always change, no?"Jasper narrowed his eyes. Despite Betty's constant desire to gain some influence within the family business, she consistently fell short and ended up making a mockery
Jasper left the president's office and went back to his own."How did it go, sir?" Xavier asked worriedly, giving him a warm mug of coffee. "Mr. Javier … didn't push you, did he?"Jasper went to sit on the sofa, taking a sip of the coffee. "No."Xavier sighed in relief."He did worse."Xavier scowled and started exclaiming, "I knew nothing ever good comes from him when it comes to you! He's not a good father at all!""Sometimes I wish he wasn't," Jasper murmured, swallowing the now-bitter-tasting coffee. Unfortunately, I have 50% of his blood in me."Xavier slumped over, not knowing what to say."Javier's given Betty full power to handle Ada's wedding.""What?" Xavier exclaimed, then cussed aloud. "What the hell is he thinking? You were the one who spearheaded all discussions, negotiations, and plans regarding Ada's wedding, from trying to win her over to even suggesting that our hotel hosts it in the first place! "Is he blind? You're the last person who would want to see us
No woman had ever left Jasper feeling as defeated as Alyssa did. Even when Liana had used and betrayed him, the strongest emotion he'd felt was rage.Staring at the newer and tidier lobby than Berenike Hotel, Jasper smiled helplessly.When Alyssa had married him, she always seemed unworldly and acquiescent. He had never looked down on her countryside background, but he always believed that they were worlds apart and shared no common ground.He finally understood that he was too far removed from her world, even if he tirelessly played catch up.He realized that Alyssa had put aside her pride to stay by his side for three years. That was the only time she was within his reach.She was never out of his league. It was the other way around.Sean happened to engage in a work discussion with two hotel managers. He turned around and was shocked to find Jasper standing in the lobby. His eyes darkened."That's all for now. Go.""Got it, Mr. Lynch." After the managers left, Sean marched u
Alyssa might not be in the lobby, but she was aware of all the happenings in the hotel."Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Beckett and Mr. Schmidt are here. They wanted to meet you. What should I …" Sean placed a finger on his Bluetooth earbud and turned around, lowering his voice.Jasper and Jameson immediately straightened up, their expressions growing tense."Meet me? What for? Are they looking for a discount?" "They won't leave without meeting you. I can't call the security on them, can I?" Sean was stuck between a rock and a hard place because of the two obstinate men."Ask them what they're here for." Alyssa's voice was devoid of warmth, like a judge in court."Ms. Alyssa would like to know your purpose for meeting her," Sean said with a hint of irritation."I'm here to invite her to dinner as a thank you." Jameson smiled and nudged his glasses. "I have mailed the signed CD to my mom, and she loves it so much. She wanted me to treat Ms. Alyssa to a meal, or she'd feel bad."After explaini
"Ms. Alyssa wants you to go in." Sean turned aside as though Jasper was infectious."Thank you."Sean snickered, openly displaying his disgust. "You don't have to thank me. It's all because of Ms. Alyssa's generosity. I would have beaten you up and thrown you out." With that, he left the back kitchen.Jasper inhaled and stepped into KS World Hotel's spotless back kitchen that looked like a sterile lab with white decor and stainless steel tables and equipment.The air was quiet. The only thing he heard was his breathing and his beating heart.Turning a corner, he spotted a slender figure standing by the wide table that only highlighted her petite frame. Today, Alyssa was charming in the white chef uniform, her hair tied and tucked neatly into the chef's hat. She wore a transparent mask on her face and was fully focused on shaping a ball of dough into pastry. She did not even notice his presence.His eyes turned misty when he recalled Mrs. Rosie's words. She told him, "Mr. Ja
Alyssa's eyes wavered, and she sprung to her feet by pushing herself away from Jasper's muscular chest. She hurriedly stumbled backward and slammed her back against the fridge door.Her breathing remained uneven. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead. Despite having a face mask on, she could feel the heat from his lips lingering on hers.Damn it! Why did she …Gasping for air and flushed with emotion, she angrily tore off her mask and tossed it to the floor. It was now contaminated and utterly useless.Meanwhile, Jasper slowly rose to his feet, leaning against the table's edge. There was a hint of exhaustion in his face, like a beast after a hearty meal.He pursed his lips to maintain composure, but his heart continued to race."Does your back hurt?" He was still in a daze after the accidental kiss. Still, he maintained his composure. His tone sounded icy, just like usual."None of your business!" She seethed with anger over him helping himself to one of her pastries. "I never perm
"Sophia is a calculative cunt. I'm concerned that they might try something against you. I wanted to give you a heads-up so you can be prepared," said Jasper.Alyssa's clear eyes flickered before she turned away."That's all. I'll leave you to your work now." He shot her another loaded gaze before leaving."Wait, Jasper," she suddenly called out to him. He felt his chest tighten as he swiftly turned back."Why did you tell me all of that? You're the type to look at the big picture. Whoever from the Beckett Group takes over the Ada Kingsley account will still boost the influence and reputation of Berenike Hotel. It's something you've been working on." She threw him a quizzical look. "So, why did you tell me that?""Because I want you to win," he responded with a genuine and innocent look in his eyes. It was a rarity after his many years of hustling in business."And why do you want me to win?""You were once my wife—"She cut him off with a scoff. "You never showed me any kindnes
Two weeks away from Ada Kingsley's wedding, Alyssa was busy updating the proposal from Ada's comments. She also had to oversee the on-site decorations and review crucial documents concerning materials, costs, and manpower. On her worst day, she managed to grab only three hours of sleep.Still, she enjoyed the hustle. As long as there was something in it for her, she would feel invigorated by the frenzy.After joining the team meeting in the morning, Alyssa returned to her office, where she munched on her sandwich and approved documents.Sean knocked on the door to deliver coffee and shook his head at her tired and adorable look. "Eating while working is bad for your health.""I don't have time! I have another fashion event to attend later this afternoon," Alyssa replied, taking a hearty bite of her sandwich without once looking up from the documents."Why is your schedule so packed today? I was about to book a spa for your relaxation during your free time." Sean felt sorry for h
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