Just then, thunder sounded in the skies, followed by a strike of white lightning.It seemed to have struck Jasper to the ground, making his entire body numb and fixed to the spot. Only his heart remained tossing and turning in turmoil."How long has she been joining you on your hikes, Mr. Forrest?" Jasper inquired restrainedly as if he were suppressing some emotion."For the past three years now, actually."The past three years. That meant since the start of their marriage.Jasper's heart lurched once again. Bile filled his throat, flooding his senses.Alice … Alyssa …Jasper came to realize that Alyssa had been keeping that from him all these years, even though they were doing the same thing. While Jasper had his own reasons for his actions, he couldn't help but wonder about Alyssa's motivations.His head throbbed painfully. All these lies and secrets were driving him insane!"Oh dear. The rain's a-coming." Elijah glanced at the gray clouds gathering above the mountains a
"I'll pull her up!" Alyssa cried. "I'm lightweight, so it should be safe enough!"There was no other choice right now."You can't!" Elias cried, shaking his head. "I promised Mr. Forrest I would keep you safe! Let me go save her!"His team cried, "You know the rock won't hold your weight, sir!" "I'm not some prissy little miss, Mr. Parker. I'm a qualified park ranger, just like you! Now stay there and let me save her!" Alyssa then hooked a latch around the safety rope around her waist and slowly climbed toward the injured hiker.Unfortunately for her, the rain only added to the smoothness of the mountain's rocky surface, making climbing even more difficult."I'm here! You're safe!"Finally, Alyssa reached the injured hiker, quickly grabbing her by the waist."My leg … It won't move …" The woman's face was covered in rainwater and tears. She was so weak and limp that she could barely speak.Alyssa could instantly tell that her leg had fractured. She hurriedly tied the safety
Rain, rock, mud, and fog—those were the only things Alyssa could recall before losing consciousness.She had used the last ounce of strength in her lithe body to push the hiker up toward the patrol team. All she hoped was that the hiker would be safe and sound.Alyssa couldn't call herself a competent park ranger and wear her badges if she hadn't prepared herself for the risk of death. She wasn't afraid of it as long as it was a meaningful death.Frankly, she didn't used to be so brave. In fact, she used to whine and cry whenever her father and stepmothers tried to bring her to the doctor for a shot.She was 11 when she met him. That was when everything changed.His bravado and determination were like the lighthouse she needed to guide her out from dark waters. How he had intercepted danger to rescue her had permanently shifted her outlook on life.It was the first time she had witnessed how selfless one could be for another.Even if he had hurt her countless times after they ma
Alyssa had been raised by her three stepmothers from a young age due to her birth mother's early passing. Naturally, their habits, such as Colene's horse-riding, archery, and rock-climbing hobbies, assimilated into her own.Fortunately, those hobbies were a lifesaver, as she couldn't imagine how she would survive in her current situation without them.As Alyssa was about to reach the mountain trail above, there suddenly came rumbling by her feet. Rock and sand snaked past her hands. Another landslide was coming fast!"Damn it! Is this what I get for doing charity for all these years?" Alyssa yelled indignantly.The rock beneath her feet suddenly shifted and tumbled from its ledge at that precise moment, leaving her body dangling precariously. "Help!" Despair and fear washed over her.An immeasurably long fall awaited her below. She was going to die falling, and no one would ever find her.A tear escaped her eye as she shut them tight, awaiting her fate."Alyssa!"Suddenly,
It was as though Jasper was adrift in a pool of pure astonishment, and the fact that the ledge beneath them was falling apart only enhanced this surreal feeling. "Hurry, Alice!" he cried, resurrecting a name that had been dormant in his mind for years.Alyssa jolted in shock. The call of that name seemed to give her a boost of adrenaline. She was able to push herself up on the ledge at the last second, right into Jasper's arms.He held her close in his arms, keeping her safe.A thunderous boom echoed through the air.Just as the rocky ledge disintegrated and tumbled down the mountainside, Jasper deftly rolled aside, narrowly escaping the peril."Fuck!" he hissed in pain when his back collided with a boulder. The intensity of the pain led to an immediate outbreak of sweat on his skin."Are you hurt?" Alyssa asked worriedly, noticing how pale he was.Jasper shook his head, his voice steady as he reassured, "I'm okay."Alyssa heaved a sigh of relief, falling back against his che
All Alyssa could feel in the endless cold was how warm her hands were.Jasper held onto her hands, making sure her fingers were kept safe from the harsh weather. It felt like the only thing keeping her near-dead nerves alive.She leaned on his back, knowing he would keep her safe. Her fingers twitched just the slightest in Jasper's grasp.Jasper swallowed nervously. Fearing she might pull away, he tightened his grip. "Stay still. Good girl."His back was hurting like mad where the boulder had hit his spine. Still, he was doing a good job of hiding his pain. He didn't want her to worry.Just this once, Jasper wanted her to know she could rely on and be safe with him."Ugh … It's cold. Hurry up then …" Alyssa grumbled."Hold on a bit longer. We should be able to find shelter soon." Every breath Jasper took evaporated into mist."What if we don't?"Before Jasper could stop himself, he responded, "Then you can take shelter in my arms.""No!" Alyssa whined. "Don't you dare try and
"No, I don't trust Jasper Beckett! Mr. Jonah needs to hear about this!" Sean hurriedly pulled out his phone to give Jonah a call.When the line connected, Jonah instantly asked, "Did something happen to Alyssa?"Maybe it was because of their sibling bond, but he had felt off all day. Now that Sean had called him, he was sure something terrible had happened to his sister."Sir!" Sean cried, "Ms. Alyssa is … You need to send someone to Crater Mountain Park to save her now!"…Jonah had been over 300 miles outside Solana City when he received the call from Sean. He was currently in Leichtown's military department.Since he'd stopped by, he naturally had to pay his brother Liam a visit. His mother had birthed the four of them, including Alyssa, so his love for all his three brothers and his sister went unrivaled.However, Liam had to live apart from their family, given that he had become a colonel at the age of 28. He had to be stationed in Leichtown, where he headed the local milit
Jasper hurriedly felt the temperature of her forehead. Feeling panicked, he took off his coat and shirt and wrapped them around Alyssa, giving her warmth.Alyssa weakly opened her eyes and saw that he only had a black singlet inside. The tan lines of his muscle were right in her face, making him look extra rugged out here in the wild."Is it still cold?" Jasper asked hoarsely, noticing her reddened face."Yes … It's fr-freezing …" Alyssa said, her teeth chattering.Jasper took a deep breath and slowly held her in his arms, pressing her against his chest, as if hoping she could soak up all the warmth he wanted to give."Still cold?" he asked softly.Alyssa leaned against his body, nuzzling into his chest.Jasper sighed, one hand gently combing through her hair as if he was trying to console her. Alyssa slowly relaxed in his arms, exhaustion making her body go limp.Jasper allowed her, silently bringing her hands up so he could check for injuries. Bruises and cuts lined her fin
"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