"What are you saying?" Jasper frowned, taken aback."Leave me alone. I don't need you to be nice to me. Not anymore." Alyssa slowly stood up, trying not to wince as her gastritis acted up. She added, "Don't try shoving your useless affection here now that Liana has broken your heart. I'm not a trash recycling center—not even if you beg."Jasper clenched his hands into fists, anger rising fast with her insults.He had come to help her out because he was worried about her. Why did she have to demonize him so? Why did she humiliate his small gesture of kindness?Alyssa put on her heels again and left the room while Jasper slowly cleaned up the cupcake mess on the floor, heart aching.Alyssa was no longer the kind, affectionate woman who would smile at him and tend to him with all her heart. Their failed marriage remained a lasting trauma in her heart center. It sculpted her into the hard-shelled, abrasive, and fierce woman. One small hint of kindness was enough to make her pu
The surrounding guests and reporters shot Alyssa incredulous, awe-filled looks."My apologies, Madam Yves. I didn't know you were waiting for me," Alyssa said with a blush.Yves grinned. "Don't sweat it. You've had a busy night."She then wrapped an arm around Alyssa's shoulders, making the two look quite like close friends. She said to the reporters, "Come on, where are our photos?"Alyssa was just as shocked as everyone else.This was the first time a cold, terrifying, dominating woman like Yves had initiated a photo with someone else. The reporters thought that Alyssa must be someone special or unique to have caught her attention. How tremendous!Betty and Zoe were devastated, especially the latter, who felt shame burst inside her veins like fireworks.Why? Why was this happening? Why were all the famous, influential, powerful people flocking toward Alyssa? Zoe couldn't figure out why. Alyssa did her best to appear calm and happy while taking the photo with Yves,
Yves' eyes lit up at the thought of Jonah. Alyssa was speechless. She tried to figure out what exactly her brother had done to make her love him."You really did a number, Jonah," Alyssa muttered under her breath. …Jasper had finished three cigarettes outside the venue. Yet, he remained upset and disappointed. Nonetheless, he still dragged himself to the auction venue when it was time.While he continued walking, another man approached the scene from the opposite end of the hallway.The two immediately locked eyes as they stood outside the venue entrance. Tension hung in the air between them, with Jasper's intense glare clashing against Jameson's icy gaze.The latter pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up, a smirk rising on his lips. "What a coincidence. Are you here to contribute to charity too?"Jasper smiled lazily. "Nah. I'm just here to help her in any way I can."Jameson slowly curled his hands into fists, knowing who Jasper meant.…The charity auction was finally startin
The opal necklace incited a wave of awe and gossip to resound through the hall. Anyone could see just how fine the craftsmanship of the opals was and instantly estimated its value to be at least seven digits.The Schmidt family was truly being generous tonight by donating this piece!Just then, a spotlight fell on Jameson, making the crowd turn their attention to him. Many gasped and squealed at how refined this man looked.Yet he only had eyes for Alyssa, as if she was the only thing that mattered."Who is he? He's so handsome. He looks like some carved marble statue!""That must be someone from the Schmidt family. How else could such a precious jewelry piece be available tonight?""I've never seen him before!""Hmm, if he's already contributing this much to Ms. Alyssa, does that mean … they're together?""So what if they are? Ms. Alyssa is a modern-day Queen Sheba. They match very well together!"The more Jasper was privy to these conversations, the more irritated he was. Wi
There were no longer any new bidders for the time being. Alyssa was still pleased with the result, however."Seven million."A deep, sonorous voice rang out from behind her, making her expression fall.The unexpected bid caught the crowd's attention, prompting them to turn and identify the speaker swiftly.Jasper was in the last row, his paddle raised high in the air. He exuded sheer confidence and stability among the gawking guests."It's Jasper Beckett from the Beckett Group!""When did he get here? I didn't see him at all tonight!""He's so handsome …"Jasper gazed steadily at Alyssa, his paddle never once lowering. But she never turned around.Seven million, and she wouldn't even spare him a glance. It looked like he would have to continue bidding. "Seven million is a tad bit overpriced for this necklace," Yves said, shaking her head. She disapproved of Jasper's action. "Just because you can doesn't mean you should.""At least it will help those orphanages," Alyssa grum
Neither of them expected Ada to donate that necklace tonight.How could this be?The two women instantly glanced at one another, unable to say a word right now, given their distance. The hall erupted into an ecstatic frenzy with the reveal of Alexa's necklace. The experts in the jewelry field all craned their necks to get a good look at the piece, in awe of this legendary necklace.Both Jasper and Jameson leaped to attention, eager to bid for the necklace."Why are you standing up? Sit down! Don't you see everyone's looking at you?" Sophia hissed, dragging Betty back down into her seat. "F-Fuck … We're screwed, Mom," Betty whispered fearfully."What? What are you saying?" "I … I was the one who gave Ada that necklace.""You what? Where did you get your hands on one of Alexa's creations?" Sophia exclaimed, then got angry. Sophia continued, "How could she just give it away like that? Isn't that just outright slapping you in the face? And you, how dare you give it to her and
"This has always been the motivation behind Alexa's jewelry design. Being a loyal fan of her work, I plan to follow in her footsteps this way. "I hope this gesture also maximizes the kindness Ms. Betty has shown me by giving me such a precious gift," stated Ada. Betty couldn't publicly deny that any longer. All she wanted was for a hole to open up in the ground and swallow her up."Madam Ada has decided that, on account of the meaning and gravitas of this piece crafted by Alexa herself, there will be no minimum bidding amount!" the auctioneer announced."30 million," a clear voice rang out. Jameson raised his paddle, a smile on his face.30 million? That was the highest starting bid of the night so far! Were they planning to go up to billions?Alexa's creations were indeed worth that price, but it was still an exorbitant amount."50 million." Jasper slowly raised his paddle, his expression calm save for a glint of ferocity in his eyes.The crowd was shocked by his bid.
Both Jasper and Jameson turned to look at Alyssa, knowing she was pissed now. So, they stopped bidding."Congratulations, Ms. Alyssa! This one-of-a-kind necklace is yours!" The auctioneer gestured happily, swiftly knocking the gavel to halt all other bids.There was a two-second silence before the hall erupted into clamorous applause.Alyssa's flat expression never wavered, however."Alyssa bought the fake, Mom! Do you think she saw through it?" Betty asked frantically, heart pounding like a frightened rabbit."Be quiet! Do you want everyone to hear you?" Sophia hissed venomously, pinching Betty's arm. Sophia added, "Alyssa wouldn't have noticed it was a fake, nor would she ever anticipate one turning up at her own auction. You should be grateful she bid off that necklace!""But what if she finds out a—""That has nothing to do with you anymore! Even if she does, you can always claim she swapped it out in order to insult you." Sophia scowled.Betty had always admired her moth
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