"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
No love lingering on.Alyssa couldn't lie. Pain swept through her chest when she said those words out loud.This pain had become a familiar companion. It was a constant presence in her three years of marriage to Jasper, and she often worried it might trigger a heart attack. It struck her more often than the occasions when Jasper spent time with her."What's the point of asking all this now, Jasper? Do you still expect me to feel the same way for you and not move on?" Alyssa asked weakly. She rarely appeared so fragile in front of others. She continued, "I've loved you for 13 years. Tell me, how many more years could I possibly sacrifice? I can't bring myself to love you anymore. I'm afraid to."She was scared of loving anyone else at this point.It felt like someone was squeezing Jasper's heart. Painful emotion rose like a wave in his throat, cutting his breath off.He suddenly realized just how vile he had been. Not only had he dragged her down in this meaningless marriage, bu
Jasper shook his head gently. Alyssa wasn't even forgiving him in her dreams. It seemed he would need to dedicate his entire life to making things right with her.While he considered committing his entire life, he abruptly halted his thoughts and questioned why he had such notions. It made him wonder if he had started to have feelings for her.Jasper's heart thumped wildly as he pondered on that for a bit. He leaned down and gathered Alyssa into his arms before gently kissing her."Mm …" she moaned softly.Jasper deepened the kiss. All he wanted was to hold her and kiss her longer. Just then, a flurry of wind swept up from outside the cave. It was a helicopter."Someone's here to save us, Alyssa! We're being rescued!" Jasper cried excitedly.The helicopter landed in front of the cave under the battering of the rain. Jasper squinted as he looked at its decal.It was not one of his copters.Then, who had come to their rescue?No matter. All that mattered now was that Alyssa
"Lyse …" Liam teared up, feeling bad for Alyssa. He attempted to get her out of Jasper's arms.Jonah might seem the gentlest among the four sons by Alyssa's mom, but that wasn't true at all. Liam always projected a stoic and aloof image due to the requirements of his profession. Yet, in reality, he was the most soft-hearted and emotional among the Taylor siblings.He had even shed tears beneath his blanket the year he couldn't make it home for Alyssa's birthday due to a mission, which went to show his sensitive nature."I'll hold her," Jasper refused to let go of Alyssa as he looked at her."You have no right to touch her!" Liam growled at him upon thinking of his poor, divorced sister. "Don't forget the way you abandoned and hurt her! Stop pretending to be a saint. I wouldn't thank you even if you saved her.""I never wanted to be thanked." Jasper paused before adding, "She means a lot to me. I admit that I had hurt her in the past. What I'm doing now is making amends.""No, y
Jasper's soul felt like it had been torn apart, and his heart twisted with a crushing pain.What had he ever done for Alyssa? Nothing.He had never proposed to her and given her anything she deserved as his wife. He left her behind on their first night of marriage and slept in a separate quarter.He had never celebrated festivals or anniversaries with her nor bought her any gifts. That year, when she was involved in a car crash with Newton, he did not even rush to her side promptly.All of these terrible actions paled in comparison to the fact that he had been in love with another woman, squandering Alyssa's best years and making a mockery of her love.His eyes welled up with emotion. He tightly clasped her hand, pressing it against his chest while breathing heavily.He felt remorseful for his past actions, but it was too little, too late.Like Jonah, Liam understood the depth of Alyssa's suffering over the years. The thought of it broke his heart every time. He began, "Jasper
Jasper stood there, unfazed by the words hurled at him. He was immune to the shaming as he had gone through it many times.Jonah approached him with a sour face and advised him, "Mr. Beckett, Lyse hasn't met Liam for a long time. I think she'd prefer meeting him over you. Your presence will not help her recovery. "You'll only be standing in the way of a family reunion. You don't have to worry now that she's with family. There's no reason for you to stay. Please go home."Jonah's eyes looked dead as he addressed Jasper in a flat tone. Despite that, Jasper felt the stabbing pain from Jonah's words that froze his blood.…Outside the hospital, the outpour had stopped. The skies brightened, like a melancholic swath of blue velvet.Jasper walked out with heavy footsteps, gripping a wet coat in his hand. He seemed to feel Alyssa's lingering warmth on the fabric. Feeling chilly, he clutched the coat tighter."Jasper, Lyse has given up too much for you.""Did you know that she almost
Xavier, Sean, and Landon were shocked by Jasper's sudden fainting spell. Fortunately, they happened to be just outside the hospital's entrance. Without hesitation, Landon and Xavier rushed to assist the doctors and nurses in sending Jasper into the emergency room.Meanwhile, Sean found himself rooted to the spot at the far end of the corridor. He watched with concern as they wheeled the pale Jasper with blood-stained lips into the emergency room.Why did Jasper suddenly faint? Was it a ploy to gain sympathy?None of it added up. Jasper had seemed perfectly fine throughout their journey to the hospital until this sudden collapse."Mr. Landon, is Mr. Beckett going to be ..." Xavier clenched his fists, tears welling up in his eyes."He'll be alright," Landon reassured him. He glanced fearfully at the emergency room sign and mumbled, "Jasper will pull through. He's the toughest, coolest, and bravest guy I've ever known. He'll be just fine."At that moment, one of Jonah's bodyguards
"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