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
Jasper had the same wild look in his eyes, as though he was in a colosseum.Javier's breath caught in his throat, his lips quivering. He recalled the very same look Jasper had cast upon him when he arrived late to the tragic scene. Anne had jumped off a high floor, and Jasper was hugging her bloodied body tightly.Javier hated and resented Jasper, but more than anything, he feared his son. Was Jasper ready for a fallout with his father over Alyssa?Sophia and Betty had wanted to see Jasper make a fool out of himself. Instead, they found themselves horrified, unable even to draw a breath.Jasper closed his eyes and breathed heavily. Since there was no point arguing, he spun around to leave."Jasper Beckett!" Javier called his name in a shaking voice. "Are you planning to side with Alyssa and the Taylors while going against your father? Do not forget whose last name you've taken or the blood that flows through your veins. "Remember, you wouldn't have the opportunity to lead the Be
A week later, the highly anticipated wedding between Ada Kingsley and the CEO of an internationally renowned luxury car brand proceeded as planned at KS World Hotel.News of the wedding spread across the internet and social media within the country and abroad. Media outlets in Solana City were quick to jump on the story, churning out sensational headlines online."KS World Scores Big with Wedding, Dealing a Crushing Blow to Its Competitor.""Belbanks' KS Group's First Win in Solana City! Legacy Brand Beckett Group Legacy Tarnished!""A Series of Scandals Plague the Beckett Family; Huge Disparity in Class Between the Becketts and the Taylors."The attention on KS World Hotel soared to a new height on the big day. Netizens piled compliments for Alyssa, who had revealed her other identities. It came as no surprise that they'd compare the unimpressive Betty to the accomplished and dazzling Alyssa."Ms. Alyssa is destined to win the competition. How could Jasper Beckett even dream of
"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
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa