"Give it up. It's not going to happen," Alyssa said firmly. "I won't eat with you."Landon clucked his tongue. "Why so harsh? Remember how I helped you teach Dylan a lesson? Think of this meal as thanks for that. Can't you do that?"Alyssa smiled mockingly. "As far as I'm aware, Jasper's the one who helped me out. It's inappropriate for you to take credit for something your best bud did.""Have I done anything to offend you, Ms. White? Why can't you give me a chance?" Landon looked her in the eye. "Is it because you already have Jonah? Does he have the guts to tell the world you're his girlfriend? Because I do!""Mr. Harper, it doesn't matter who came first or last when it comes to relationships. But having shame and morals does." Alyssa's simple sentence was enough to make Landon pale. "I may not have the best upbringing, but I do know what shame is.""When I married Jasper, my heart belonged to him and only him. Now that Jonah's my boyfriend, he's all I can see. I don't mind if
"Fuck! Have you lost your fucking mind, Jasper?" Landon's eyes bulged.Alyssa looked ashen. Her arm fell to her side limply, and cold sweat beaded over her forehead. He and Jasper were exact opposites—he treated women gently while Jasper was too harsh with them!Jasper clenched the hand that had grabbed Alyssa's arm. His lips parted as he stepped back, looking stunned."Ms. White, your arm's dislocated! I'll take you to the hospital right now!" Landon said anxiously. He moved to help her, but she dodged him. "No, thanks. I'll deal with this myself.""How are you going to do that? You have a dislocated arm!""It's none of your business!" Alyssa was genuinely angry now. She glared at him, her hackles raised. Landon was stunned. He didn't dare move.Jasper stared at her. She was his ex-wife, but he felt like he'd never really known her. Throughout the three years of their marriage, he'd only seen her smile and laugh. She'd always been gentle, obedient, and even a little ingratiating
Landon clucked his tongue and ran after them. "She's right! It's inappropriate for you to treat her like this now that you two have divorced! I'll carry you, Ms. White!""Fuck off!""Fuck off!"The former couple spoke in unison. It was just that one of them saw red while the other's face was red. Landon couldn't help thinking that they were pretty similar.…At the hospital, Alyssa was taken into the clinic. Jasper and Landon waited in the corridor. "Damn, Jasper. How could you have treated her like that? Do you think she'd be able to handle your rough treatment? Or were you trying to rip her arm off?" Landon shook his head."How did you know she was working there?" Jasper looked at him coldly. There was a trace of anger in his eyes."I was there for a meal and happened to run into her. Before I arrived, she was doing hard labor at the unloading bay. You should've seen how hard she was working—no one would've believed she used to be a president's wife." He smiled slightly and so
Jasper used to be a cadet of the most elite military academy in the nation. He was enlisted in the army for three years after graduating from the academy. Hence, he was still strong and powerful as ever despite being a businessman.Silas' punch ended up bruising the corner of Jasper's mouth. The latter's body didn't even budge in the slightest."Holy shit! Is he another love rival of mine?" Landon screamed internally. Naturally, he dared not scream in Silas' face.He suddenly remembered the way Alice had mocked him earlier. Apparently, homewreckers mustn't be arrogant. Meanwhile, Silas tried to punch Jasper again out of fury. At that point, the latter would never give him another chance to strike at him. So Jasper dodged the punch swiftly."Jasper, didn't I tell you to stay away from Alice? Are you this shameless?"Silas panted heavily, his eyes now bloodshot. "I'll fucking skin you alive if anything happens to her! Hell, I'll make the Beckett Group pay for this!""Mr. Taylor,
Silas was still furious about what Jasper did. He was about to start ranting when Alyssa glared at him, which shut him up."What the hell? I'll go beat him up right now!" Sean exclaimed. Sean was about to get up and leave when Alyssa called out to him. "It's fine. You can't beat him in a fight anyway. He used to be a member of the Peacekeeping Forces, after all. You might get beaten up instead."She continued, "Besides, he didn't mean to hurt me. That man always underestimates his strength, after all. He doesn't care about me at all.""Why do you sound like you've known him for a long time, Ms. Alyssa?"Alyssa looked dazed for a moment. Then, she pursed her lips and kept mum.Sean didn't know her exact relationship with Jasper for now. She didn't mean to hide the truth from him. It was just that she was too lazy to explain everything to him.Alyssa's relationship with Jasper was already over. She no longer wished to have anything to do with him.…Silas brewed a cup of coffee
Soon, Jasper entered the tailor shop.The old tailor was ironing some clothes at that time. He was surprised to see a handsome customer walking into his shop."Ah, it's you!""Money is no issue here. I hope that you can help me out with something."Jasper opened the box with a light frown on his face."Oh, dear! What happened to the suit? Why is it all torn?" The tailor's heart broke at the sight of the torn suit."It's all my fault." That was the only excuse Jasper could come up with."That young lady spent such a long time making this suit just for you. I've witnessed the way she struggled when she worked on that suit. It's as though I helped make it."The old tailor shook his head sadly. "What a shame. This is such a nice suit.""Is there a way for you to fix it?" Jasper asked."How am I supposed to do that? I can easily patch up the inner fabric, but it will be difficult to fix the outer fabric."For some reason, Jasper tensed up when he heard the tailor's response."Ju
"But my sister is an upstanding businesswoman. It's very unfair for her to be slandered like that. Besides, this just had to happen when Lia and Jasper were about to get married …" Sophia said. "Upstanding? You mean dishonest!" said Newton scornfully. Sophia froze upon hearing his words.Newton continued, "Don't think I know nothing just because I'm old and no longer on the front lines. The Gardner Group dug its own grave by doing business dishonestly! Also, you don't have to threaten me with Jasper. If he wants to marry a woman from the Gardner family, then I shall disown him! You guys can go ahead and date whoever you want. You don't even have to come to my funeral when I die!" Newton ranted."Dad!" Javier sighed. Sophia was crying, but her gaze was icy. She was done being oppressed by Newton for more than twenty years! She wished he would die with regrets! "Grandpa!" Jasper strode toward Newton and reached out to stroke his back, but Newton pushed him away. "You don't have
The drama ended with Jasper promising not to meddle in the Gardner Group's business.After Sophia and Javier left, Newton looked around at the mess in anger. "What a shame! All the men in our family just have to fall for those scheming Gardner women!" Jasper bent down to pick up the things on the floor while his mind spun. Could someone have replaced Jonah at the meeting in Yoarkley? But Jasper knew Javier wouldn't have recognized the wrong person. They had clashed against each other multiple times in the business world, after all. There was no way Javier could have been mistaken unless he was showing early signs of dementia.Jasper picked up a hand fan and asked, "Grandpa, is this yours?" Newton sighed and said, "Just look at me. I must have lost my senses in anger. Bring it to me." Newton's gaze softened at the sight of the fan. "Alice made me this fan herself. The patterns and calligraphy are all her own work."Alice knew calligraphy? She also knew how to draw? Jasp
The board members were stunned into silence. One by one, they rose from their seats, greeting Newton respectfully. At Beckett Group, Newton's presence was akin to that of a king. Though he had long stepped away from the corporation's daily affairs, his influence remained unparalleled.He was not only an honorary board member of Beckett Group but also held similar titles in other renowned corporations. In the corporate world, Newton was nothing short of a legend.His unexpected arrival at the board meeting sent shockwaves through the room. The first words out of his mouth—an objection to the proposed motion—made it clear where his loyalties lay—with Jasper."Dad, what are you doing here?" Javier exclaimed, his voice laced with surprise as he rushed forward to steady Newton, who was visibly trembling.Justin narrowed his eyes as he stood up slowly. He was the last to rise to his feet. A flicker of something sinister danced in his gaze, an abyss of calculated intent hidden behind an
"You've been freed?" Justin asked, his voice distant."Sir, I'm really sorry for troubling you. You even had to make arrangements for me," Sheryl said apologetically. "I just made use of my connections. It's nothing. Besides, I figured they'd summon you—Jasper did get his medications from you, after all."Sheryl, still shaken from earlier, lowered her gaze. "Is that cop, Rio Olson, one of us? He seemed eager to arrest Jasper, so I thought you might have recruited him. But during the interrogation, he was relentless. He wouldn't go easy on me at all.""He is one of Mr. Barrett's men. That's enough for now."Sheryl mulled over it for a moment. Then, she lowered her voice and said, "Sir, Jasper can only be charged for drug use. As a first-time offender, it's not enough to keep him behind bars. I suspect he'll be bailed out by the day after tomorrow."Justin chuckled softly. "So?" "It's a shame we couldn't take him down for good," Sheryl said through gritted teeth."Jasper has Gr
With years of experience as a criminal investigator and a naturally sharp mind, Cyrus' instincts flared the moment he heard Rio's question.Gabe slammed the table, his voice a thunderclap of rage. "Rio Olson! What nonsense are you spouting? Have I been too lenient with you? Dr. Gillis is a doctor, and I'm a police chief. How would I know her? Stop letting your imagination run wild!"Gabe's face flushed crimson as he glared at Rio.Unmoved, Rio stared back, confusion etched on his face. "Then why are you stopping me from investigating Sheryl by the book? I don't get it."Jasper's test results were positive, and we found drugs hidden in his office. That alone suggests drug abuse. To secure a conviction, we need to trace his supplier. Otherwise, this case will collapse in court."Let's not forget—Jasper's attorney is Steven Lynch, a top-tier ex-judge who's handled multiple high-profile cases."From his position outside the office, Cyrus could only catch fragments of the conversation
"Now that we're on this topic, there's something I need to tell all of you," Alyssa said, her expression grim. Her tone turned cold as she continued, "I highly suspect that Sheryl is actually Liana Gardner."Her words left the Taylor brothers stunned."I don't have concrete evidence—no confession, no DNA proof. But when I called her 'Liana' at that run-down hospital, she turned around. Her reaction was odd, to say the least. Beyond that, her mannerisms, habits, and private behavior are eerily similar to Liana's."Alyssa smiled confidently. "And most importantly, I trust my instincts.""No wonder!" Silas suddenly shot to his feet, his eyes wide. "When I first saw her at the hospital, when she brushed past me, I felt this strange sense of familiarity. So, she's Liana? That means my gut feeling was right all along!"Jonah's expression grew serious. "If that's true, Jasper is in even greater danger. Liana's return—under a new identity, working alongside Justin no less—means she's play
Silence filled Alyssa's office. Since the incident that led to Jonah and Julien's heartbreaking breakup, everyone had avoided mentioning Julien, even though the sorrow of it lingered like a heavy shadow.Alyssa had suggested the second option because she believed Julien might be the key to turning the tide in their favor. But where was Julien now?After the fallout, he had disfigured himself, consumed by hatred toward Jonah, and left without hesitation. Would he return? Could they even find him?"Let's try to think of something else," Cyrus said, shaking his head dejectedly. He understood Jonah's situation all too well. "I'll go look for him." Jonah closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, they glistened with unshed tears. The redness in his gaze betrayed his heartbreak. "Some of my former subordinates are still in Mosgravia. I'll contact them for help. I'll find Julien, even if it means sacrificing sleep and meals. No matter what it takes, I'll bring him back."Silas
Alyssa couldn't bring herself to go home, so she stayed at her office. Unease gnawed at her as long as Jasper's situation remained unresolved. Everything else seemed insignificant in comparison.When Cyrus updated her, a troubling realization struck—something was off about the witness, Sebastian Bender. As soon as Jonah, Silas, and Cyrus heard about Jasper's predicament, they agreed to travel overnight and meet Alyssa at the KS Group office.Worried that Alyssa and Sean might overexert themselves, the three brothers brought food to lighten the tense atmosphere with a touch of familial warmth."Sean, Taty asked me to bring this for you," Silas said, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "She made this soup herself and insisted you finish every last drop."A playful smirk tugged at his lips. "I checked the ingredients. They're all... nutritious for men."Sean's face flushed crimson as he pressed his lips together. Guilt flickered in his eyes. "She should be resting. She's due to give b
That night, Sheryl was brought into an interrogation room adjacent to Jasper's for questioning. Rio was Gabe's subordinate, but he wasn't privy to the full details of the situation. All he knew was that completing this task could give him an edge over his rival, Cyrus, and secure his standing within Gabe's ranks.To Rio, Cyrus was nothing more than a privileged man from a prestigious family, competing unfairly with those less fortunate. Rio was determined to prove himself superior, showing Cyrus how he dealt with Jasper, his future brother-in-law, and forcing him to admit defeat.Fearless in the face of wealth and authority, Rio boldly took on the president of Beckett Group, Jasper. He believed such audacity would earn him public admiration and a sterling reputation.However, Rio never considered the possibility that Sheryl might have her own stakes in this matter. To him, she was just another suspect."Mr. Beckett claims you provided him with the drugs," Rio began, his tone ster
The complexity of Jasper's case far exceeded Rio's expectations. There were so many underlying factors! "Firstly, I didn't know this was a narcotic, Chief Olson," Jasper explained calmly. "As you mentioned, this is a new drug that's only emerged in Solana City over the past two months. Most people haven't encountered it yet. Even someone as informed as you likely just started learning about it. How could I have known?"Secondly, I wouldn't have taken it if I'd known it was a narcotic. I'm dealing with health issues right now. Taking drugs would only harm me further. Why would I jeopardize my own life? Why would I not want to live a long life?"Jasper's posture was upright, exuding an air of sternness reminiscent of a disciplined soldier. His righteous demeanor made it hard to believe he was a man struggling with drug addiction. Who could look at him and think otherwise?While Rio mulled over the situation, Steven interjected with a serious tone. "Chief Olson, I strongly suggest qu
"Mr. Beckett's blood sample contained methamphetamine…" Rio's eyes widened in shock. He knew this substance all too well—it was a component found in crystal meth.Sebastian hesitated, then lowered his voice. "Also, if I'm not mistaken, Mr. Beckett was hospitalized due to severe withdrawal symptoms. He didn't take his drugs on time, and his body couldn't handle it. Would this count as evidence?""Dr. Bender, thank you for the crucial information you've provided. We greatly appreciate your assistance in this case!" Rio shook Sebastian's hand vigorously, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.Meanwhile, just around the corner, Cyrus stood with his back against the wall. He had heard every single word of their exchange. His chest burned with rage as he clenched his teeth. Pulling out his phone, he quickly texted Alyssa. "Lyse, the situation has changed. I can't join the investigation, but you must save Jasper this time."…An hour later, Rio strode back into the interrogati