Alyssa: "That's enough! You guys are so childish. Jasper must have investigated us because he suspects Silas' identity. You showed up twice to protect me, so I think he realized you aren't Jonah. If that's the case, then you guys don't have to hide anymore. If he wants an answer, I'll give him an answer!"The moment she spoke up, her older brothers immediately stopped fooling around. Alyssa's gaze darkened as she swirled the red wine in her glass. The weekend arrived in the blink of an eye. After public pressure, the Gardner Group held a press conference at a five-star hotel. A lot of reporters showed up. The Gardner family wasn't that influential on their own. Liana's engagement with Jasper made the Gardner family the center of attention overnight.A black Maybach was parked by the roadside opposite the hotel's entrance. Inside it, Jasper watched the press conference on his iPad indifferently. "Mr. Beckett, Mr. Newton reminded you not to bother about Gardner Group." Xavier
After Alyssa finished the chocolate, she put the remaining bar back in Sean's breast pocket and patted his chest. She said, "You're pretty in shape." Sean's heart thumped wildly, and he blushed. He was four years older than her. He had visited the Taylor residence often when he was a kid. His father had been the head of KS Group's legal department and was valued by Winston very much.Sean remembered that the first time he saw Alyssa was in the back garden of Heightsnew Villa. He had spotted the pretty little girl from far off, and she had raced toward him adorably. He had thought that he was dreaming, so he rubbed his eyes. She appeared before him wearing a white dress that made her look like an angel. "Hey, do you have any candy?" Alyssa hopped off her skateboard. She gave it a kick and caught it in her hand."Huh?" Sean was flustered and cursed at himself for having feelings for a girl younger than him. However, she was just too beautiful. Who wouldn't be mesmerized? "It's fi
Then, the voices of two men sounded out!"Mr. Gardner, I wouldn't have used cheap second-hand mattresses to replace high-end ones if it wasn't to help you make money! But I got caught by that new CEO of Taylor Group and lost my job. No one in Solana City will accept me! You can't just watch me suffer!""Don't tell me you were helping me. Haven't you also pocketed a hefty sum? Added with the money I gave you, you won't starve even if you spend the rest of your life jobless."One of the voices was Michael Grant's, and the other was Dylan Gardner's! The reporters were flabbergasted. Dylan broke out into a sweat. He steadied himself against the table as he nearly lost his balance. "What is this?! Who played it? Switch it off! Hurry up!" The audio clip stopped playing, but new images appeared on the screen. They were pictures of Michael and Dylan visiting a nightclub together! "Mr. Gardner! This is not what you promised me! You promised to protect me!""I have protected you. I hav
The picture that appeared was from the court's official webpage. It was from three years ago. Silas was wearing a robe and debating in court passionately. The app Jasper developed could find information on any person within five minutes. All it needed was a clear image of them uploaded to the app. The results were more accurate than those from search engines.However, it had taken up to ten minutes to search Silas up. He was obviously someone who very seldom went out in public or took pictures. He didn't have any social media accounts either. He was just an officer, but why was he so secretive? "Jonah Taylor … Silas Taylor …" Jasper thought for a moment and suddenly widened his eyes. "Could he be …" Jasper narrowed his eyes, and a stormy expression appeared on his face. His mouth went dry. He found it hard to breathe. So Alice never rejected anyone and immediately got close to Jonah after leaving him. Now, she had something going on with another guy from the Taylor family! Who d
Last night, Alyssa secretly found Michael. He was drowning his sorrows in a bar. She informed him about the press conference scheduled for tomorrow. Alyssa warned Michael that Dylan would undoubtedly sell him out to save himself."No way! You're not going to manipulate me like this! Forcing me to testify? I'm not that naive!" Michael protested."If you keep being so stubborn, then you're the one acting foolish," Alyssa replied.And so, Alyssa and Michael struck a deal last night."To be honest, I have evidence of the secret dealings between you and Dylan. I haven't handed it over to the authorities yet. Considering your past loyalty to my Dad's leadership, I'm giving you one last chance." Alyssa revealed.Michael reflected on the past twenty years. He recalled how he started as a humble banquet hall supervisor and worked his way up to become the deputy manager. He acknowledged that his success was not solely the result of his efforts. It was also due to Winston's recognition and s
Alyssa's eyes widened in shock. Her heart skipped a beat. Her gaze bore deeply into Jasper's. Her captivating eyes seemed to blaze with fiery flames. Her expression was almost overwhelming.Even a man as commanding as Jasper couldn't help but flicker his eyes as if trying to avoid her intense gaze.After a moment, Alyssa smiled. There was a distant look in her eyes. It was as if she were emotionally detached or lost in thought, creating a sense of unfamiliarity between them."So, Mr. Beckett, you rushed here only to vent your anger on your dear wife? It seems like you've been holding it in for so long that you might explode on the spot if you don't release it now."Jasper had pushed himself to the limit. Alyssa had poured her heart into her relationship with Jasper for the past three years. She didn't expect him to cherish any memory of her goodness. His continuous use of derogatory language to degrade her was crossing the line!Moreover, Alyssa had moved on and no longer be
"Yes, but I'm ..." Alyssa tugged him hard, signaling Sean to shut up. Sean quickly caught on and kept quiet."Well, Jonah didn't spare any expense when he assigned his most trusted secretary to you, Alice," Jasper sneered. "He must think highly of you. Congratulations, you're about to marry into another wealthy family. You fooled me completely, and now it's Jonah's turn. I hope he never sees your true colors."The words cut through Alyssa's heart like sharp blades, and Jasper didn't stop there. He seemed intent on further unsettling her.Sean immediately noticed Alyssa's unsteady breathing and her trembling shoulders in his arms. What baffled Sean were Jasper's words. Was Jasper out of his mind? What nonsense was he spouting?"Sean, allow me to introduce you," Alyssa said. Her voice was steady despite the turmoil inside her. "This is Mr. Beckett from Beckett Group, my ex-husband of three years.""What?" Sean was utterly shocked, his face turning as white as a sheet. He couldn't be
Alyssa wasn't in the mood to go to the hotel. She decided to head home. Sean remained silent for a long time. Finally, he asked, "Ms. Alyssa, does Jasper still not know that you are the heiress of the Taylor family?""Yeah," Alyssa replied softly, looking melancholic.Sean understood. No wonder she asked for a stand-in when Jasper visited her last time."Sean, I didn't mean to keep it from you ...""I understand," Sean interrupted.Alyssa raised her brows in astonishment."Who wants to dredge up heartache? Naturally, I prefer to keep it locked away, never to be touched again. I was just concerned about you. I worried Mr. Taylor would feel heartbroken and upset if he ever found out," Sean continued. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as his eyes glistened with moisture.Alyssa was the center of the family's universe, beloved by all. But to her dismay, she had been mistreated by that despicable scoundrel, Jasper. If Winston were to find out, he'd probably be so furious t
As subtle as Remy's expressions were, Jasper still noticed them. A slight twinkle flashed across his eyes. He did not have the time to continue entertaining Remy. He clenched his teeth, turned around, and started running toward Crater Mountain. Nevertheless, he had barely taken a few steps when gunshots were fired at his feet. Even so, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead and did not stop. Just then, another gunshot rang out. It wasn't until a bullet hit him in his right shoulder that the pain caused him to stumble. He almost fell to the ground but forced himself to stay on his feet. It was fortunate that he was shot in his right shoulder this time. After all, his left shoulder could not be injured any further. Otherwise, his left shoulder would be left in complete disability."If you take another step, the next shot will be in your left leg," Remy warned mockingly. Yet, his gaze was firm and fiery. "Jasper, I don't suppose you want to end up like your older brother, living in
A chill went down Jasper's spine. At that moment, staring down the barrel of the gun, one thought consumed him. It was the only thought that mattered—he had to stay alive to meet Alyssa!Jasper's mind raced. His gun was hidden under the driver's seat of his usual car, but today, he had taken a different sports car—one that wasn't equipped with a weapon. Panic gripped him for a split second before his instincts kicked in.The soldier within him stirred. Without warning, he jerked the steering wheel, ramming his car into Remy's.One of Remy's headlights was taken out and left rolling across the snow. All of a sudden, this prideful man was overwhelmed with anger. His eyes reddened with a strong sense of competitiveness, compelling him to pull the trigger. A shot rang out. The bullet sliced through the cold air, shattering Jasper's car window.From the very beginning, Remy hadn't intended to take Jasper's life. All Justin told him to do was to stop Jasper from meeting with Alys
"Jasper, you are such a jerk. If anything bad happens to Ms. Alyssa, you will surely regret it. You will live in regret your entire life!" Sean yelled. …The temperature tonight was -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The snowstorm in the woods on the mountain was getting stronger and stronger. The winds were freezing and bone-piercing as they blew against Alyssa's face. Trees swayed dramatically in the screeching winds, creating an inexplicable creepy atmosphere that added a feeling of desolation to Alyssa's sorrowful and depressive mood. She braved the bone-piercing winds and faced the heavy snowfall. With the help of her trekking pole, she plodded forward one step at a time. She did not have a destination in mind. She did not know where she was heading. Her heart had shattered, and she was beside herself. The decreasing temperatures discouraged her and made her lose all her motivation. For someone who had lost their willpower, being in the woods under extreme weather conditions wa
"Mr. Jasper, why do you say so?" Sheryl lifted her head and looked into Jasper's reddened eyes. She furrowed her brows and laughed out loud. "White Dove is from Solana City. This is also something that I wasn't able to predict. If I had known, I wouldn't have gotten you to make a trip here in vain, would I?" Sheryl was no longer that conniving bitch who used to act coy. Now, she had a powerful person backing her up. Jasper's violent rage did not scare her at all. "Why the hell didn't you say anything earlier?" Xavier marched forward furiously. He was even more inclined to serve her a slap. "Did you know that Mr. Beckett had an important date with Madam today? He only rushed her because of your stupid lead! Right now, you're telling us that White Dove isn't in Skydon but Solana City? What the heck are you scheming? Were you trying to ruin Mr. Beckett and Madam's date intentionally?" "Madam? Haven't Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa broken up? Is it right for you to be referring to her
The skies started to turn dark. Alyssa's dark hair was covered in a layer of snow. As she stood alone at the foot of the majestic mountain, she looked tiny, fragile, and desolate. "Ms. Alyssa, it's snowing. Heavy snowfall is forecasted tonight." Elias walked to Alyssa's side. Noticing the redness on her face due to the cold and the dull look in her eyes, he had a moment of realization. He couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness within him. "It's getting late. I suppose something came up for Mr. Beckett, and he's unable to make it." "Why didn't he inform me if that is the case?" Alyssa mumbled in a low voice as she gazed toward the darkness. She choked back on her tears so softly that her grievance couldn't really be heard through her voice. Elias slapped himself on his forehead. "Ah, perhaps you didn't manage to receive Mr. Beckett's message? The reception at the foot of the mountain isn't quite stable. You might have missed it. Would you like to come to my office? You'l
Jasper held his breath. It felt as if his legs had been chained together. He was unable to move. Looking at a stiff Jasper from behind, Xavier noticed his shoulders trembling slightly. An ominous feeling rose within him. "What did you say?" Jasper questioned. He sounded as if he was forcing himself to hold himself back from getting emotional. "Mr. Justin once mentioned that you were saved by a female doctor when you were badly wounded on the battlefield many years ago. I heard that you have been searching for her and that you've been grateful toward her." Jasper's back stiffened up. He narrowed his eyes and asked in a frosty voice, "This is a private matter. Why would Justin have told you about it?" "Mr. Justin mentioned it to me because I also used to work as a doctor in Luminara. He was hoping that I could help with finding that woman. "I finally have news on her whereabouts now. Mr. Jasper, don't you want to see the White Dove again? She was the person who gave her all t
That night, Alyssa stayed in the presidential suite of Solana City's KS World Hotel. She couldn't bring herself to return to her own manor—not yet. The lingering memories of her breakup with Jasper were still too raw, and the thought of revisiting their former home felt like reopening an unhealed wound.The following morning, she was awakened by a knock at the door. Groggily, she slipped on her night robe and opened it to find Sean standing there, carrying a complete set of brand-new hiking gear.Alyssa smiled. "Thank you, Sean." "Ms. Alyssa, it's freezing today. Are you sure you want to go hiking?" Sean walked into the living room and placed the items neatly on the couch. He still felt somewhat worried. "It's alright if it's cold, as long as the weather is good."Alyssa gazed out the window. The sun was shining brightly. The thought of going hiking with Jasper today made it impossible for her to conceal the sweet smile on her face and the delight in her eyes. She still love
Remy's eyes were bloodshot; his expression twisted with disgust as he stared at Sheryl. He could hardly fathom how someone so deranged and vile had once been close to Jasper. Even if Jasper and Alyssa had separated, Sheryl was nowhere near worthy of Jasper's side; she was not even fit to be the dirt on Alyssa's shoes.A sudden flash of memory struck him—the image of Alyssa during that traffic accident. He recalled her mustering all her strength to crawl out of her wrecked car, her face bloody, her body broken yet defiant. He had never seen such a fierce spirit in a woman before.His heart pounded uncontrollably, the memory triggering a sharp pain in his temples. Remy closed his eyes, gasping for breath.Sheryl broke into wild, unhinged laughter. Her entire body shook as she spat out her words, "Oh, Jasper, you poor, clueless fool!"If he ever discovers that the woman he's been tormenting all this time is actually his savior—the one he's been desperate to repay—that would be an eart
Sheryl's eyes lit up. "And what might that reason be?"Justin's lips curved into a faint smirk, his voice calm yet carrying a cold, ethereal tone. "Besides Ms. Alyssa, there's another woman who holds great significance to Jasper. She's the only one who can compel him to act without hesitation." Remy, usually a man of few words, abruptly spoke up. "Is she the one you've mentioned before? The woman who saved Jasper on the battlefield?""After Jasper retired from the military, he was plagued by PTSD. He came back shattered, dispirited, even on the brink of taking his own life."During that time, I often spoke with him over the phone, urging him to hold on, to keep living. I reminded him that if I could endure this half-disabled existence, then surely, he could find a reason to go on."Justin's tone was leisurely, as though recounting something insignificant. He continued, "I told him that if he were gone, what would become of Beckett Group? More than that, he would leave Dad and G