With that, Jasper walked away in huge strides, leaving Simon frozen on the ground in humiliation.He was born into a family of attorneys. His parents had high hopes for him from childhood, and he was the role model of his siblings. He sailed through life and was considered one of the elite attorneys in Solana City. Even the scions in Solana City had to humble themselves to seek his services. He had never felt so humiliated after the exchange with Jasper.Simon thought of something.Brows furrowed, Simon turned around to glance at Jasper's proud figure. He wondered about the relationship between Jasper and Alyssa. Why would the unfeeling, ascetic Jasper Beckett fly into temper for Alyssa?Simon himself was an acquaintance of Alyssa. He knew her as a beauty and the beloved daughter of Winston Taylor. She had higher standards and better taste than most people. She wouldn't be interested in just any ordinary man.There seemed to be only one possible explanation—Jasper Beckett, t
Anyone could tell that Newton was being sarcastic. He was doubting Simon's integrity.Jasper couldn't hold back a grin while Javier and Sophia put on sour faces."Sir!" Ben hurried over and announced courteously, "Ms. Alyssa is here!"Jasper's heart sank, and his eyes faltered. Everyone shot complicated glances at the door.Alyssa's high heels clicked sharply, echoing in Jasper's heart. She walked alone into the compound, her confident and regal air making it seem like her first visit despite her three years of living there.Jasper fell into a daze, feeling as though they were still married."Grandpa, I'm here!" Beaming, she approached Newton with bright eyes. She did not pause for a second as she brushed past Jasper, treating him like a stranger.He felt suffocated as his fingers curled into a fist. His heart skipped a beat and sank. After the divorce, every time he crossed paths with her was like torture."Alyssa …" Betty glowered at Alyssa, ready to lash out, only to be rein
Alyssa had effectively labeled Simon as an ingrate with her firm and strong statement.If he wanted to distance himself from the Taylor family, she would air their dirty laundry in front of everyone.With a fake smile on his face, he shot a chilling look at Alyssa. He couldn't help but question Sean's taste in women. She seemed insolent and argumentative. If Sean married her, she would only bring trouble to the Lynch Family.The air turned awkward and tense. Javier viewed Alyssa as a troublemaker who seemed to bring chaos with her every appearance. While he acknowledged Simon's capability, he felt uneasy upon learning about Simon's connection to the Taylor Family."I didn't know you had a hidden past with the Taylor family," Jasper chimed in, seemingly addressing Simon, but his eyes were on Alyssa. "So, does that make Ms. Alyssa the daughter of your benefactor? Is this how you repay her—by going against her?"Alyssa furrowed her brows and sulked at Jasper's words. Was he actuall
After Alyssa's verbal attacks, Betty hid behind Sophia cowardly without any thoughts of causing trouble, seeing that Simon had been defeated.Alyssa went over to Newton and clasped his bony hand with worry, looking closer to him than Betty ever did. "Grandpa! Why did you call me over at this hour? Are you feeling unwell?""Don't worry, child. I'm fine." Newton looked into her bright eyes tenderly and patted the back of her hand. He reassured her, "I'm perfectly fine. In the best of health."She let out a long sigh. "That's good to hear.""Alice, it isn't anything serious. I wanted you here because, firstly, I missed you, and secondly, I wanted to understand. What happened between you and Betty? Why did things escalate?" He sounded sincere. He added, "You and Betty are both dear to me, and I wish to see the two of you doing well. I get nervous and concerned every time the both of you cause a stir."Despite his choice of words, Alyssa could tell he wanted to speak up for Betty. Sh
Alyssa felt the warmth from Jasper's hand against her skin. She kept her complaints to herself, deeming Jasper a "crazy piece of garbage." She couldn't fathom his actions and wished he would withdraw his dirty hands.Sensing her urge to free herself, he gripped her tighter, almost crushing her body. Everyone was surprised by the intimate display between the ex-couple.Only Newton looked pleasantly surprised and glad, his earlier moodiness giving way to joy. Was Alice back together with Jasper? She looked reluctant, though.He didn't care how Jasper went around it. He was just glad that Jasper finally got it straight. The progress in his romantic relationship was worth celebrating.Alyssa couldn't stand Jasper's advances anymore. When no one was looking, she slowly raised her foot and stomped on his toes with her high heels."Ugh—" Jasper grimaced, letting out a muffled groan audible only to her. She couldn't help but grin wickedly as she continued to press her heel down on his
Every time Alyssa showed up, the Beckett family would fall into chaos and leave on a bad note.Alyssa had no mood nor reason to explain herself to Newton, for the truth was on her side.Besides, she had learned about Simon's character from Winston and Mandy. If he had managed to secure Betty's release, it indicated that he had tied up any loose ends.Even though Alyssa was aware that Simon had coerced Bryan Hanssen into becoming the scapegoat, she could not get the police to reopen the case for the time being.Simon might appear courteous, but he was equally cunning.Meanwhile, Newton did not want to put Alyssa on the spot because he had faith in her character. He had witnessed her sincerity, and if he were to lose trust in Alice, there would be no one else he could rely on.Alyssa wheeled Newton back to his bedroom, with Jasper annoyingly tagging along the entire time. However, Newton seemed content that night, a satisfied smile gracing his face when he saw Alyssa and Jasper a
After offering some health advice to Newton, Alyssa left the room. Jasper wasted no time and quickly caught up to her. He said curtly, "I'll send you home."Alyssa had held back from lashing out at Jasper in front of Newton. Now, she finally exploded and jumped back while pointing a finger at his face. She yelled, "Naw!"Jasper was a little confused by the sound she made. She pursed her lips awkwardly. It appeared she had accidentally uttered "no" with an accent, but the meaning was clear."I don't need your help. I'm an adult who knows my way home!""It's late at night. I'll see you home," insisted Jasper, who took a step forward.Alyssa's anger flared as she recalled how Jasper had pulled her into a hug earlier. She seethed and dusted her shoulders, confronting him, "I didn't lash out at you not because I condoned your behavior. I did it for Grandpa's sake. Don't take a mile when I give you an inch!"I'm already pissed at Simon and Betty, and I'd take it out on anything t
Sophia and Betty were in the study. Javier would never ask Newton to join. In his eyes, Newton was on Jasper's side.Javier had firmly positioned himself in the opposite camp from his father. Ever since the tragic loss of Anne Bartley, Jasper's mother, who had taken her own life, there was nothing left between him and Newton.Their already strained relationship grew even more distant, exacerbated by the presence of Alyssa.However, for Sophia, this growing rift was a welcome sight. She needed father and son to turn against each other for her personal gain.Upon further thought, no matter how powerful Javier was, he would always be under Newton's thumb for having an illegitimate son."I want you here to inform you about this," croaked Javier. He sat on the couch with a stoic expression and tossed a freshly printed appointment letter in front of Jasper. He declared, "I've chosen to hire Simon Lynch as Beckett Group's legal counsel and Director of Legal Affairs. The letter will be
Alyssa followed Jasper into the study. The door closed behind her with a soft click. She didn't move to switch on the lights or sit down. Instead, she stood quietly in the dim room.They faced each other, eyes locked. In the darkness, their gazes seemed brighter, charged with emotions that neither could put into words. Whatever stirred within them was tangled and silent—kept at bay by something unspoken, as if a wall had formed between heart and mouth. After a pause, Alyssa offered a faint smile. Her voice was soft, almost courteous. "Go ahead, Mr. Beckett. I won't be staying long tonight—I've made other arrangements."It was clear she didn't want to be alone in a room with him.Jasper's chest tightened, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion he couldn't define. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "You didn't vote against the motion at today's board meeting. I wanted to know… are we still on the same side?"Alyssa's gaze lowered, her voice steady and calm. "You didn't object
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"Mr. Lexington," the doctor greeted respectfully, lowering his head slightly. Everyone at the base knew who Sheryl and Remy were. They were the ones in charge, the decision-makers. So, everyone obeyed their orders without question. To the staff unaware of the facility's true purpose, Sheryl and Remy stood at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. Unbeknownst to them, someone more powerful lurked in the shadows."How has she been these past few days?" Remy asked, his expression unreadable."She's had some adverse reactions, but there are no signs of organ failure yet. Honestly, I'm surprised. She looks frail, but her body is incredibly resilient—stronger than some men, even."The doctor scoffed. "But I'm not sure if she'll make it past her fourth injection today. Last month, four test subjects didn't survive beyond that point. Their bodies have already been sent to the incinerator." Remy's jaw tensed. His voice was husky as he said, "As I've instructed, this woman must be kept alive.
Xavier seethed as he took in the insincere smile on Justin's face. Deep down, he was cursing him with every profanity imaginable. "Whatever makes you happy."Ignoring Justin's dark gaze, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead as he strode past him.Out of nowhere, Justin chuckled and asked, "Did you really think you had people on your side during the board meeting?"Jasper halted, his eyes narrowing. "Grandpa tried his best to shield you, but his health is failing by the day. How much longer do you think an old man can protect you?"Lowering his gaze, Justin idly adjusted the ruby cufflinks on his sleeves. His voice was casual yet cutting. "And Lyse—after how ruthlessly you discarded her, do you still believe she'll stand by you no matter what? That she'll fight alongside you like before?"The intense midday sun accentuated the sharp, aloof, and pallid features of Jasper's face as he stood, unyielding, in its glare. His pulse quickened. Finally, he answered, his voice a low rasp. "R
As the board meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.News of Justin securing his position as president and Alyssa joining the board quickly spread through Beckett Group.After the meeting, Alyssa escorted Newton back to Crescent Bay while Jasper remained at the corporation to handle some matters.With Xavier accompanying him, Jasper strode toward the chairman's office, his expression cold and unreadable.Nearby, a few employees huddled together, whispering."Psst! Do you think Alyssa joining the board means she's teaming up with Jasper to take down our new president?""People have been saying they broke up since they haven't been seen together for a while," another speculated."But at the press conference, Alyssa openly condemned Mr. Justin. That looked like she was siding with Jasper. So, are they still together or not?""Come on, to people like them, personal feelings don't matter—only their own interests do. Even if they broke up, they can still work together if it
When Jonah reached the bedside, he leaned in slowly, giving Julien an unobstructed view of his tanned skin, well-defined abs, and that devastatingly captivating face. Reclining against the headboard, Julien found himself lost in Jonah's eyes. His breath hitched, and his mind momentarily blanked as Jonah's mesmerizing gaze locked onto him. What could he do? His heart still betrayed him, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He was a fool—a pathetic fool. Jonah braced his arms on either side of Julien's head, his dark eyes overflowing with a raw, possessive affection. It was as if he sought to consume Julien—just as he had last night."Julien, does it still hurt—" "Fuck you!" Julien's bloodshot eyes blazed as he swung his hand, landing a sharp slap across Jonah's face. The illusion of his frailty shattered. A crimson handprint bloomed on Jonah's cheek in a split second, the flesh puffing up visibly. But the sting barely registered. Not when the ache in Jonah's chest was alr
Justin frowned as a hint of surprise flashed across his dark eyes. He had assumed Newton's unannounced appearance at the board meeting—along with Alyssa's involvement—was a coordinated effort with Jasper to overthrow him as president. After mentally running through hundreds of countermeasures, the one possibility he hadn't considered was that everything would proceed smoothly in his favor. Javier was equally stunned, though this outcome aligned with his desires. Today, Justin wasn't merely his son but a constant shadow looming over him, a silent predator watching his every move and reminding him that his past actions weren't completely buried. Instead, this secret loomed like a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment, obliterating everything he'd built. And the person holding the detonator was Justin—his eldest son whom he had trusted above all others. With a dim gaze, Javier watched Justin rise to his feet amid the applause. Suddenly, Justin's voice seemed distant,
Justin curled his lips into a smirk, scoffing in silence. Newton had gone to great lengths to bring Alyssa into Beckett Group. This was his way of decentralizing power and keeping it in check, and he wanted to prevent Justin from having complete control. Unlike others, Javier couldn't hold himself back. He blew his top instantly, his face turning red like a tomato. "Dad, have you lost your mind? Don't you know who she is? She is KS Group's president—our direct competitor!"KS Group is also bidding for Project A5. No matter how much you favor her, you should at least recognize the limits. If you promote her, it's a blatant conflict of interest—outright cronyism!" Newton sneered. "I might understand your concern if I were promoting someone other than Alyssa."His gaze hardened. "Cronyism? A conflict of interest? I wonder who you're really talking about."With those words, he cast a knowing, enigmatic glance at Justin's blank expression. Just then, a board member from Javier's