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
Landon and Xavier transferred Jasper to another hospital under Jasper's persistent requests.Jasper lay on a pristine white bedsheet in his room, hooked to an IV drip. The ordeal had taken its toll on him, but he still appeared remarkably handsome, much to Landon's envy."You scoundrel. I bet you'll be a casanova even in the afterlife. Tsk tsk, you sinner," teased Landon with an amused expression. He sat facing the back of his chair with his legs spread and his arms folded on the backrest."You're mean." Jasper slowly opened his eyes with rage. He couldn't breathe properly from the pain. "I was puking blood, and here you are, talking about my looks. I've always been better-looking than you. Does that annoy you?" "Ah, come on now. I was just trying to lighten the mood in case you were getting bored," Landon responded. Landon was concerned for Jasper's health but hesitant to delve too deeply into that conversation, fearing it might come across as cheesy."Don't worry, you're not
"It's my duty to protect her. I would never ask for any reward or praise," Jasper remarked. He closed his eyes as a dull pain pulsed in his chest. "I am only making amends for wronging her in the last three years.""With your life?""Well, I can't make amends with money, can I? Do you realize how wealthy her family is?" Jasper's temper flared.Landon scratched his head. Right, Alyssa could afford anything with her wealth.Jasper's thoughts drifted to the memory of her pale face in his arms, which only intensified his heartache. He wondered if she was awake now and if her fever had subsided. He also couldn't help but worry if she suffered any fractures from hanging onto the cliff. She was all he could think about.Taking a deep breath, he clutched his bedsheet tightly as if trying to kill a budding urge.Had he truly fallen for her?His heart raced at the thought of it. His breaths grew heavy, and his cheeks flushed."Hm, why are your cheeks red? Do you have a fever?" Landon
However, Landon obediently stumbled backward after Alyssa shot him a death glare, like one of Cleopatra's many male lovers.Xavier swiftly went up to her and said, "M-Madam—""Madam? What?" Alyssa frowned."Uh, Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Beckett switched hospitals because he didn't want you to worry about his injuries. He wanted you to focus on your recovery," Xavier muttered meekly. Xavier felt nervous every time he had to face Alyssa, who had grown assertive and abrasive. She had become the complete opposite of her past acquiescent self."He's overthinking, then. I am not going to worry about him," replied Alyssa with a snicker and a lift of the brow."But you wouldn't have quickly located him if you weren't worried about him, right?" Xavier bit the bullet and retorted."You—" She glared at him.Jasper secretly grinned as he rested against the headboard. Xavier might be a little slow and clumsy and didn't always do his job right. However, he had redeemed himself and pleased Jasper wi
Jasper, who had always been prideful and rebellious, went along with Alyssa. He rolled over just as instructed.Alyssa pressed her lips, surprised by his lack of protest. The huge area of bruises on his wide and muscular back now lay exposed before her eyes.At that moment, her eyes wavered. Despite her best efforts to keep her emotions in check, she couldn't help but feel extremely bad for him.He mistook her silence for shock and attempted to roll over again, but she pinned him down and ordered, "Stop moving around. I need to take a better look.""The doctor said the bruises would slowly go away as I heal," he remarked in a low voice. It was strange how he seemed to be trying to console her when he was the one who was injured."Like I can't tell," she fired back, annoyed.Her sharp retort caught him off guard, and he responded with a hint of amusement, "I didn't know you were such a firecracker when you were still with me. I am amazed by that sharp tongue of yours and your guts
Jasper was strong despite being injured, much to Alyssa's surprise. With a glimmer in his eyes, he pulled her toward him. She fell into his arms, and their bodies pressed against each other.Jasper pinned her down by resting his left hand on the back of her waist. It was still hooked to the IV drip."Jasp—" Alyssa teared up from the anxiety. Her words were cut short by his sudden kiss. His damp and warm lips brushed against her. Upon tasting her sweetness, he became a beast out of control, kissing her aggressively and taking her in.Meanwhile, Alyssa was dizzy from the kiss and unknowingly moaned. She tightened her grip on his chest, leaving behind red marks.She was going through a mix of emotions—shame, humiliation, grievance … Driven by those emotions, she gave him a bite on the lip. Surprisingly, he did not flinch and only hugged her tighter as she bit him deeper.The metallic taste of blood spread in their mouths. He endured the pain she inflicted on him but did not let go
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
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