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
"Thanks. Sorry for the trouble," said Jasper. "Why did you suddenly think of hiking this year?" Xavier wondered."I go hiking every year," Jasper answered flatly.When he was younger, he had once spent one summer volunteering at Crater Mountain Park to relieve his stress. Life was simple back then, consisting only of eating, sleeping, and hiking with Elijah to assist hikers or check for safety concerns.Such peaceful moments had been rare in his life.When he was appointed president of the Beckett Group, he'd make a hefty annual donation to the park, which was unknown to most except for himself and Elijah."Mr. Beckett, did you catch Ada Kingsley's wedding? Wow! Madam was incredible!" Xavier gushed with admiration. "How did she come up with the idea of using black roses as decorations? I'm surprised Ada agreed to it!"Jasper's eyes narrowed as he whispered, "That's because Alyssa is no ordinary woman. That little muffin always has a solution for everything."That prompted Xa
Steven reacted swiftly, pulling Sean away from Simon and embracing him from behind to restrain him. He scolded Sean, "Are you out of your mind? How could you attack Simon like that?""Yeah, he is fucking crazy!" Simon got up from the ground, pressing against his face. "He's about to abandon his family for that Taylor chick!""I'm not the monster here. You are!" Sean spat out in anger."Enough! Shut up, the two of you!" Spencer yelled back at his sons while holding his wife, Sinead Everton.Sinead was deeply concerned, as she had never seen her sons in such a state before.Steven positioned himself between his two brothers, acting as a mediator, fearing that they might start fighting again. He reasoned, "Sean, I heard that Simon took on the Becketts' legal case. You shouldn't blame him. He's just doing his job.""I'm staying out tonight," Sean declared, storming out of the house with a bruised face."Sean, where are you going?" Sinead called after him, her voice filled with wor
Ada Kingsley's wedding wrapped up amid praises. Alyssa emerged victorious from the wedding, garnering both reputation and profit. She had successfully turned the failing KS World Hotel business around and returned it to its glory.Within half a year, she had completed Winston's mission for her and more. The first thing she wanted was, of course, to get her reward from Winston in Belbanks!That evening, she picked up Tatiana from school. They sat in her Dark Emerald Rolls-Royce, chatting and fooling around merrily as the car headed to Belbanks."Lyse, I never thought that you were the renowned jewelry designer Alexa!" Tatiana clapped her hands, her cheeks flushed from the excitement."Okay, stop. I know what you will say. You're going to profess your admiration for me again, aren't you?" joked Alyssa. She flicked her hair and lifted her chin. "You don't have to. I'm sick of all those compliments. Just let me know if you ever want to put on any jewelry.""T-That's not okay!" Tatian
"Ms. Alyssa, it's been a while!" Spencer led Sinead over to greet Alyssa."Uncle Spencer, just call me Lyse like you did when I was a kid," replied Alyssa warmly. Despite being the Taylor family's daughter, she did not put on any airs."That was a long time ago. You are in management, and you're Sean's boss! Things are different now," Spencer remarked. He knew about Alyssa's fame and the likelihood that Winston would groom Alyssa to be his successor. Therefore, he was extra cautious in his exchange with Alyssa.However, Simon scoffed at his dad's humble manner, which he found shameful. Why did the Lynches always have to lower themselves in front of the Taylors?Successful men did not always come from blue-blooded, wealthy families.Alyssa let Spencer be, seeing that the latter insisted on courtesy. Meanwhile, Sinead silently studied the two Taylor sisters.She was amazed by Alyssa's beauty. As a child, Alyssa resembled a delicate porcelain doll. She had since grown up to be a
Simon remarked with an amused expression, "I will do my best to win the case if the defendant seeks my help and gives me their trust.""I found something interesting," chirped Cyrus, who crossed his legs and examined Simon in the manner he'd observe a suspect. "Your clientele appears to be quite rich. I assume you have your standards for selecting your clients.""That's not the case. I might be the person in charge of our law firm, but I don't own the firm. I need to pay my two shareholders and the ten or so attorneys working under me. Look, I don't have a choice." Simon ended his sentence with a troubled sigh.Silas, Cyrus, and Alyssa almost barfed at Simon's hypocritical explanation. How could Simon and Sean turn out so differently when they were both Spencer Lynch's sons?"Simon is a top attorney in Solana City. He's also a famous name across the country," Sean broke his silence and snickered. He continued, "Two million dollars—that was the lowest amount in legal fees you were
Sean had always looked down on his "useless" brother, feeling aghast at Sean's lack of ambition. How could one be content slaving away as Alyssa's secretary?Hence, Simon was taken aback when Winston confessed that he considered Sean his godson. It was the Belbanks tycoon's subtle way of aligning with Sean.What angered Simon the most was the undertone of Winston's praises for Sean, which insinuated that Simon did not exhibit similar qualities.The Taylor siblings had different looks on their faces. Alyssa grinned and almost burst out laughing at Winston's clever maneuver. Simon probably hadn't anticipated this dinner would turn into a trap."M-Mr. Taylor, you're flattering us!" Spencer and Sinead were overjoyed by Winston's words. Still, Spencer waved his hand humbly and added, "My youngest isn't good enough to be your godson. He'll simply keep his head down and work at KS Group. We don't expect more than that!""Spencer, we've known each other for years. I don't put on an
Alyssa went to the bathroom to wash up before changing into a new set of clothes. After that, she went out for a stroll to clear her mind. She recalled when Sean knelt before her, delicately wiping spilled wine from her feet before everyone. It left her with a strong sense of discomfort. Yes, he had always been kind to her, but she could no longer tolerate his kindness after that passion-filled embrace.They had been childhood friends, and over the years, she had only seen him as a friend who later became a subordinate. And him? He had taken her as a potential lover or possibly his childhood crush.Alyssa couldn't tolerate it. She sighed, frustrated.Just then, she noticed Sean standing in the distance, looking unnaturally pale and tense."Ms. Alyssa," he called out weakly."Sean? What are you doing here?" Alyssa asked, surprised.Sean swallowed nervously and slowly walked up to her. "I came to check up on you. I was worried.""Sean …""A week has passed, Ms. Alyssa. Wh
"How about now? Is Ms. Altman at home?" Alyssa asked urgently."She isn't," Clark replied. "She drove out the back gate alone around 11:00 pm. Our security personnel stopped her then, but she said she was just going out for some fresh air because she had trouble sleeping. She promised she wouldn't be long, but it's strange—she hasn't returned even now."Alyssa's ears began to ring, her heart sinking like a stone.When she ended the call, her nightgown clung to her skin, drenched in cold sweat. Her trembling hand gripped the phone tightly.She thought of calling Jonah, but he was still searching for Julien in Mosgravia. He wouldn't be able to return in time. Silas wasn't home tonight; he was likely with Rose. Besides, he was more of an academic than a fighter—not someone who could help in a crisis. Getting him out of bed in the middle of the night couldn't possibly solve any of their problems. Axel had returned to his organization, leaving Cyrus as the only one accessible who mi
Amber's eyes reddened as she darted toward the trapdoor in The Millennium, tears streaming down her face.Remy had let her go. He actually spared her! Didn't this prove that he was Damien? That his true nature lingered, even if his memories of the past had been lost?Hope and excitement bubbled within her as she ran. She had to reach Alyssa immediately and share this evidence—this incredible news!Emerging from the trapdoor, Amber navigated the tangled paths among the weeds on the mountain behind The Millennium.Suddenly, she froze. Her breath hitched. Beams of white light shone from all directions, focusing on her. The cold, unyielding spotlights told her everything—she was surrounded, the target of an ambush. Amber's heart pounded in her chest. Cold sweat slicked her palms as her fingers clenched tightly around her dagger. The veins on the back of her hand throbbed with adrenaline.Six assassins in black emerged from the shadows, their flashlights cutting through the gl
Amber glared at Remy through her bloodshot eyes, thrusting her gleaming blade toward his chest. In her early days of being Jameson's follower, the first lesson drilled into her was how to kill quickly and efficiently. Refinement wasn't necessary—only results mattered. Yet, despite mastering the techniques, she had never put them into practice. Deep down, Amber feared the sight of blood and loathed the idea of taking a life.And now, of all people, it was Remy forcing her to cross that line.The blade's tip hovered mere inches from Remy's heart when hesitation gripped her. Axel's voice echoed in her mind, raw with emotion. "Amber, I keep feeling that Remy is my fifth brother, Damien. We miss him… We want him to come home!"Her pupils dilated. The blade wavered, its deadly intent dissipating.That single moment of doubt was all Remy needed. With a calm, calculated motion, he seized her wrist and twisted it sharply.Amber gasped in pain, her grip faltering as the blade clattered
The password to Jameson's room was Alyssa's birthday. Jameson had always believed himself to be a devoted man, taking pride in that notion. Yet, in Amber's eyes, his devotion was nothing more than a pathetic joke—a sentiment she couldn't help but detest.Taking a steadying breath, Amber began rummaging through the drawers and shelves with swift precision.Years of observation had taught her that Jameson had hidden several secret compartments in this room, places meant to conceal vital information. Unless Jameson or Carl disclosed their existence, even the police might not have uncovered them.After what felt like an eternity, sweat beading on her forehead, Amber discovered a hidden compartment beneath a floor sculpture.As she pried the brick loose, her breath hitched. Inside the compartment lay a waterproof plastic bag containing a document and a USB drive.Amber retrieved the document. Her heart raced as she realized its contents—a research report from Mosgravia's RC Biotech
Ever since getting together with Axel, Amber had lived each day in bliss. Yet, when Winston assured her that he truly accepted her and approved of her marriage to Axel, that bliss reached its peak. For so long, Amber had struggled with feelings of inferiority, never truly believing she deserved Axel's love. Deep down, she had resolved to step away if Winston disapproved or insisted Axel marry a woman from a reputable family—a match more fitting of his status.She wouldn't have hesitated to leave if it meant sparing Winston and Axel any conflict. Amber loved Axel wholeheartedly and was willing to sacrifice everything for him.But instead of rejection, she found warmth. The Taylor family embraced her as one of their own, showing her kindness and understanding rather than disdain for her past.She could never repay such compassion. "Winston… Thank you. Thank you…" Amber's tear-filled eyes glistened, their brightness undimmed despite all the darkness she had endured. Winston s
Amber stifled a laugh and teased, "Stop talking, Mr. Whitaker. You're going to sound like a broken record if you keep going." …After breakfast and a quick packing session, Axel departed from Heightsnew Villa. Amber spent her day helping the Taylors with various tasks. She assisted Mandy in organizing documents for Lovelace Group's projects, helped Lyla with cooking, and even joined Colene in feeding her horse. With Tatiana's due date approaching, Amber also pitched in for her shower preparations.Amber had always been a diligent person, but today, she seemed particularly intent on keeping herself busy. She was counting down the hours until nightfall. After dinner, the Taylors sat in the living room and chatted casually as they always did. The warm, familial atmosphere filled the space, and Amber joined in, her perceptive nature making her a seamless part of the group.When everyone retired to their rooms, Amber rose to help the helpers clear the table. "Amber." Startled
Axel and Amber had only spent half a month together before the former was called back to report for work. The night before his departure, they spent hours lost in each other, their passion unrelenting. Again and again, they exchanged kisses, their love pouring forth in an endless tide."Amber, three months… Just give me three more months." When their fervor finally waned, Axel held Amber close in his arms. They rested against the headboard, leaning into one another, too exhausted to move yet unwilling to let sleep claim them."Once I finish all the missions I've taken on, I'll hand in my resignation. After that, I'll spend all my time with you," Axel murmured, his voice steady with resolve. "We'll go wherever you want. If you want fun, I'll have fun with you. If you want chaos, I'll spend my life going crazy with you."Axel wasn't one for flowery words. He simply spoke from the heart. Right now, his heart only wanted Amber—forever.Amber nestled closer, her soft smile masking t
"Sir." Sheryl immediately stood and greeted Justin respectfully as he entered the room. "What are you doing here?" Justin's cold gaze swept over her as he strolled leisurely to the couch and sat down.Sheryl quickly explained, "I received a parcel for you from the administrative secretary half an hour ago. I thought it might be something important, something you wouldn't want too many people to handle. So, I waited for you to return and open it personally.""A parcel?" Justin frowned. Why would anyone send him a parcel to Beckett Group, of all places? How strange. Sheryl presented the parcel to him with both hands. He took it from her and then opened it right before her. After removing three layers of wrapping, each from outside and inside the box, the parcel turned out to contain only a plain white envelope. His expression darkened. It felt like someone was toying with him.Then, he looked down and opened the envelope, which contained a stack of photographs. Pinching a co
"Don't be so pessimistic, Jonah," Alyssa said. Perhaps having just seen Jasper and going through that heart-stopping moment made Alyssa emotional. Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, "If you truly love someone, you don't need to possess him to find happiness. Isn't it enough to know he's alive, well, and living freely somewhere in this world?""You're right, Lyse." Sorrow filled Jonah's voice as he smiled bitterly. "Julien has already lost and sacrificed too much for my sake. I don't deserve to have such a good man. He'll only find true happiness by leaving me."…After Justin took over as president of Beckett Group, his first move was to wrest control of the A5 Project bid from Jasper's hands.Though Jasper had failed as the leader of Beckett Group, as the eldest son, it was only natural for Justin to inherit the position of power. Justin was aware of lingering opposition within the corporation. Some doubted whether he possessed the decisiveness and singular capabili