"Can you help me decant this red wine?" Alyssa handed Sean a bottle while taking out her phone. Sean frowned slightly, knowing this was her way of getting him out so she could have privacy."I know what you're thinking, Sean. I hate Jasper, but it's not like we can't still discuss business together." Alyssa gently patted Sean's shoulder. She added, "I'll need to continue being in contact with him now that I plan to expand KS Group in Solana City.""But Ms. Alyssa—""There's no need to be afraid. He's not going to eat me. If he tries, Axel will wipe him out from the face of the Earth before he knows what hit him."Sean wasn't afraid. He would give his life to Alyssa if that were what it took to see her safe. He could never bear to see her getting hurt again.He sighed and went to decant the bottle as told, leaving Alyssa alone in the wine cellar."Yes?" Alyssa answered the call, her tone cold and flat."Thank you for the cake. It was delicious."Alyssa lowered her gaze. Jasper
Alyssa frowned. Why did that sound so weird? It was like someone had flavored a floral perfume with old socks.The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet. Neither spoke.After some time, Jasper said, "That's all I wanted to tell you. Goodnight.""Hey!" But Jasper had already hung up."What the hell? Was he drunk or something?" Alyssa grumbled, shaking her head as she switched off her phone.Meanwhile, Jasper was just realizing how clammy his hands were. His throat was burning dry, and his heart pounded wildly against his ribs like a caged animal.He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Let what is a bane of my mind today pass on before the next light. May that which frequents my heart unchecked, leave …"…Abigail remained in a state of coma after the car accident. According to the doctor, she was near vegetative, with very little chance of reawakening. This came as wonderful news to Betty. She felt like Lady Luck was finally gracing her presence!She couldn't have anyone find
With Lyla's birthday, Winston's third wife, drawing near, Alyssa dedicated her nights to crafting a present in her room. It was a ring of pure gold, inlaid with natural aquamarine and diamonds.Craftsmanship-wise, this was a piece of cake. Only the aquamarine heightened the cost of the ring. It was a true blue, straight-from-the-mine crystal that was still attached to its host rock when she got it. Alyssa was always thorough and devoted when it came to the gifts she prepared for her loved ones.She used to be the same toward Jasper, too. Sadly, he never appreciated it.Just then, a video call request appeared on her phone. It was Sliva Nunez, her assistant from her jewelry design firm."There are very few reasons why you would call me at this hour," Alyssa said while polishing the crystal."Do you remember Tyson Nolan?" Sliva asked."Yeah. Why? He apprenticed under me for three years before starting a jewelry line of his own. He's a pretty gifted student.""You won't believe w
That night, the Beckett family got together for their monthly dinner with Newton. The atmosphere appeared cheerful and merry; even Betty helped serve her sister food and drink every now and then. It was as if they shared a close bond. Lauren stayed silent beside Jasper, not uttering a word since the beginning of the evening. Though she remained quiet, her determination was evident—every morsel of food Betty gave her was discreetly pushed to the side of the plate.Javier set his silverware down. "Dad, Sophia and I have something important in the works. We'd like to seek your opinion on it now that we've taken the time to consider it.""Why? If you two have decided, then there is no point in coming to me for approval." Newton tucked into some corn. Newton went on, saying, "I'm sure this wife of yours can give you all the opinions you need to hear. Haven't you relied on her all these years?"Sophia forced a smile, even though her chest was filled with hatred. She despised thi
"Watch your manners, Lauren! We're having dinner with Grandpa here!" Sophia quipped."Alright, alright. That's enough. It's just a fork. No reason to get upset at the girl," Newton retorted. Lauren was his favorite granddaughter, after all.Sophia clenched her fists angrily under the table. Everything she did was wrong in the eyes of this old man!"Grandpa, Mom, Dad … I'm done with my meal," Lauren said softly, then hurriedly left the table.Jasper's eyes narrowed as he watched his sister leave, and certain thoughts appeared in his mind.Betty's gleeful mood had increased double fold. She thought that Lauren didn't have to endure such a situation. Lauren could have remained the family's insignificant, almost invisible member for the rest of her life. Regrettably, Lauren had chosen to attempt to seduce her man. That was why she felt the need to teach Lauren a lesson and assert her dominance in the situation."But why Landon?" Newton asked with a frown. "Didn't he like Alice?"
"Oh?" Newton responded curiously, stroking his chin."Yeah, Dad," Sophia piped up, "When has someone like Landon ever personally gone to see another woman? "He clearly has Betty in his thoughts. He wouldn't have come by otherwise. Plus, Alyssa already has someone else."Jasper slowly turned his eyes to Sophia. He swallowed anxiously, as if trying to control a turbulent emotion.Newton was surprised to hear this. "Alice has a boyfriend? Who is it?""Victor Schmidt's youngest, Jameson." Sophia had gotten word of this from Liana herself. Even though there wasn't much evidence that the two were dating, she might as well bring this up to stop the old man from interfering with their plans."Alyssa is not dating Jameson Schmidt," Jasper finally spoke up, setting down his cutlery."But I heard they've already gone on several dates, like going to the flower gardens, orchestras …""They are not dating." Jasper's gaze glinted with invisible knives. "Hopefully, Sophia remembers not to sta
The counterfeit worked!Betty had nervously handed it to Ada. She had been terrified of being found out. In fact, she had even devised an escape plan in case she was discovered. Her excuse would involve claiming that she had been deceived by the "friend" who had given her the jewelry.Surprisingly, Ada didn't realize the jewelry was a counterfeit. She had to thank Alexa's disciple, Tyson Nolan, for that. Ada even tried the necklace on, grinning from ear to ear.That was how Ada decided she would work with Berenike Hotel. Just like that, Betty managed to carve a spot out for herself in the hotel's higher management—all without her mother's help!That night, Sophia celebrated with Betty on the balcony, popping bottles of champagne."Once Ada's wedding is over and your father entrusts you with full control of the hotel, you'll be set on the path to securing a position on the board of directors! "Then we can finally kick that bastard Jasper out of the picture!" Sophia exclaime
Jonah frowned, disapproving of how skintight her outfit was. "Are you going out for sports this late in the evening?""Yeah. I'm in a swell mood, Jonah. I have a kayak waiting for me in the river behind the house right this second!" Alyssa grinned."It's so dark out already. What if you fall into the water? You're not the best swimmer." Jonah pinched her waist. "And it's freezing out here, Alyssa. What if you get a cold?"He then turned to Sean, accusing, "What have you been doing? Why haven't you tried talking some sense into her?""My deepest apologies, Mr. Jonah!" Sean bowed profusely."Don't blame him, Jonah. He tried stopping me, but you know as well as I do, no one can stop me."The siblings went to sit on the couch, Alyssa resting on her brother's shoulder. "MINT's editor-in-chief just called me to confirm the auction's flow. Thank you so much for helping me get them onboard, Jonah."MINT magazine's editor-in-chief was fashionista and designer Yves Vanderbilt, a demoness