Alyssa wasn't in the mood to go to the hotel. She decided to head home. Sean remained silent for a long time. Finally, he asked, "Ms. Alyssa, does Jasper still not know that you are the heiress of the Taylor family?""Yeah," Alyssa replied softly, looking melancholic.Sean understood. No wonder she asked for a stand-in when Jasper visited her last time."Sean, I didn't mean to keep it from you ...""I understand," Sean interrupted.Alyssa raised her brows in astonishment."Who wants to dredge up heartache? Naturally, I prefer to keep it locked away, never to be touched again. I was just concerned about you. I worried Mr. Taylor would feel heartbroken and upset if he ever found out," Sean continued. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as his eyes glistened with moisture.Alyssa was the center of the family's universe, beloved by all. But to her dismay, she had been mistreated by that despicable scoundrel, Jasper. If Winston were to find out, he'd probably be so furious t
Jasper recalled the disappointment and resentment in Alice's eyes as if they were sworn enemies. He suddenly felt empty inside, like he had lost someone important. Rosie followed Jasper into the study looking upset, not long after. "Mr. Jasper, Ms. Gardner is here. You should go greet her." "I'm not going." His answer took Rosie aback. Had he finally grown a backbone? It was so inspiring to see a fool turn over a new leaf. "I know why she's here." Jasper slumped down on the chair. He stared ahead blankly and continued, "Tell her that she shouldn't even bother if it's about Dylan. The Gardner family must be in a mess right now. She should go back and spend more time with her parents. I'll meet her in a few days after things have settled down." "What if she insists on staying?" Rosie asked. "Then, let her be." Jasper sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead. He kept thinking of the phrase "Good for nothing." He was infuriated by Alice's description of him as such. She had neve
Rosie was taken aback. She couldn't believe Jasper didn't see through the cunning girl's pathetic act. He was indeed a fool.At this moment, Jasper picked up a black umbrella. His face was calm as he pushed the door open."Hey! Mr. Jasper!" Rosie anxiously called out.Jasper continued to walk out with the umbrella. Rosie was so frustrated she stomped her foot. Outside the door, Liana sat helplessly in the rain, unable to hold on any longer. But as soon as she saw Jasper walking toward her, she became overjoyed. She turned on her charm and pitifully wept as she collapsed forward.Jasper's eyebrows furrowed. He walked up to her. He held the umbrella over her while using the other hand to forcefully lift her from the ground. His demeanor was firm and adamant, so she could not break free even if she wanted to."Jasper ..." Liana murmured, then threw herself into his embrace.Just moments ago, she seemed frail. But now, she miraculously revived in his presence. She wrapped her arms
"Useless!" Andrew coughed painfully, pointing at her and scolding, "Since you got close to Jasper, have you ever done anything useful for our family? We've been struggling for years. Yet, you haven't gained any share of the family's wealth or even gained the Beckett family favor! I don't believe Jasper loves you. Having a daughter is just a waste of money! You're utterly useless!"Liana's eyes turned bloodshot with intense resentment. Andrew had always favored sons over daughters. He'd even forced Rosaline to abort her when he learned she was carrying a girl. The doctor said she would have issues conceiving again after the abortion. Liana only survived under Rosaline's persistence.Rosaline couldn't conceive again after giving birth to her. That deepened Andrew's disgust toward her. Liana grew up under the shadow of her older brother and tried to win Sophia's favor to gain attention. She lost her childlike innocence at a young age, learning manipulative tactics to secure a better
The Gardner Group faced a crisis as the public questioned their products and credentials.Netizens are clamoring to boycott their products. Over 400 out of their 500 nationwide stores have closed in less than a week. The remaining few barely survived. They resorted to flash sales. They rather sell at a loss than keep the remaining inventory.Andrew, already physically weak, fell seriously ill as he watched the substantial daily losses. Rosaline visited her sister to ask for help. But Sophia was afraid to intervene and could only watch from the sidelines."Newton Beckett has issued a final ultimatum. He will ruin anyone who helps the Gardner Group. Sophia, I'm part of the family, and it's tough to say how bitter I feel about this situation."Sophia sighed, comforting her sister by holding her hand in her palm. "Although the Beckett family can't help, I have asked Javier to pick a date for Liana and Jasper as soon as possible. How about scheduling it on the first weekend after Gran
Sean grinned. "Miss, you're truly wise. I've been monitoring the Gardner family these past few days, and I have indeed found some progress.Alyssa smiled. "As expected, without Jasper's help, the Gardner family can only find ways to raise money to cover their losses. But I thought they would sell their houses and land. I didn't expect them to sell only their jewelry. "Hmm, it seems they can still afford it with their vast fortune. Burning their last bit of money slowly so they could hold out as long as they could. It is more satisfying to see them suffer than dealing them one direct blow."Sean coldly snorted. "This is karma for the Gardner family!"Alyssa didn't say anything more. She casually flipped through the pawnshop records.Hardly anyone knew that the Taylor family owned two large, well-established pawnshops in Cassadia and Bellbanks. Since Winston liked collecting antiques, and rare treasures, he secretly opened these pawnshops to acquire the unexpected and precious item
On the weekend, at the Solana Auction House.A crowd of journalists gathered outside the venue. They had to wait outside to protect the privacy of the wealthy. Those who joined the event were genuine antique collectors and investment bankers. They were here for business and not to seek media exposure like celebrities. They weren't interested in interviews. They only focused on valuable treasures for auction—except for Sophia, Rosaline, and Liana.Every year, Sophia would attend the event in her best attire. She would turn the high-end charity auction into a red carpet moment for her. She would block the entrance and let the media take photos. She would only leave after being persuaded by the staff, looking disgruntled.It seemed she feared people might forget she was the washed-up star who had climbed to a higher status by breaking up someone else's family over two decades ago.That led to Javier not attending the event personally for the past two years. Presumably, he felt it wo
Xavier covered his mouth. He almost choked on himself before holding back his laughter. Jasper felt a surge of resentment in his chest. He coldly responded, "I don't see a future with her, and we can never go back to the past. I won't do something so shameless." Without bothering to elaborate, Landon shrugged. He swiftly changed the topic, "Are there any items you want from today's auction?" "Yes, the Antique Rosewood Chair. I plan to buy it as a birthday gift for my grandfather." "You have good taste! I can help you secure it. If someone tries to compete with you, I'll find a way to convince them otherwise." "No need," Jasper calmly shook his head. "The auction is about charity. If the item is meant to be mine, it will be mine. I won't force something that isn't meant to be. That would take away the joy of the auction." The two entered the venue and walked straight to the first row reserved for VIPs. Only those from prominent families or elite individuals could sit th
The once lively and fashion-loving Julien now seemed like a star that had lost its light. The radiance that once defined him had vanished. Julien walked past Jonah without stopping. The short distance between them gave Jonah a painfully clear view of the cross-shaped scar on Julien's cheek. His heart wrenched, the pain so intense that his vision blurred. He staggered. "Jonah, are you alright?" Fortunately, Landon was beside him and caught him just in time. Staring at Julien's slim figure, Jonah parted his dry lips, but no words came out.Bitterness filled the back of his throat, and his longing for Julien sent sharp, stabbing pains through his body.Julien stopped beside Jasper, offering him a small smile and a nod as a greeting.Then, his gaze turned fierce as he locked eyes with Justin's hypocritical expression."My name is Julien Lovelace. I was once Mr. Jasper's primary physician. Approximately six months ago, Mr. Jasper made a deal with Jameson to rescue Ms. Alyssa w
Alyssa stood at the doorway, her slim figure framed against the light, yet she seemed to tower over the room. Her presence commanded attention, filling the hall with an air of reverence and grandeur. From across the room, Jasper's dark eyes burned with intensity. To him, Alyssa was like a golden phoenix, its wings unfurling as it soared, radiating brilliance over everything in its wake. "Lyse!"Jonah and Landon stared in shock. They hadn't expected Alyssa to show up at the press conference. Camera flashes erupted once more."It's Ms. Alyssa Taylor!""We should address her properly now—she's the head of KS Group!" "Wait… Is she here to support Jasper? I thought they broke up?""What do you even know? They used to be in love!" Justin narrowed his eyes at Alyssa's frigid, determined expression. Slowly, his lips curled into a chilling, sinister smile.Alyssa met his gaze, suppressing the hatred surging within her. Then, with an air of composure, she turned to the crowd. "W
"That's rubbish. I never asked you to do anything like that!" Sheryl's bloodshot eyes burned with fury. She clenched her fists, longing to silence Sebastian."I didn't expect you to admit it," Sebastian said coldly. He reached into his chest pocket and pulled out his phone. After scrolling briefly, he held it up for all to see. "You were wary of me recording our conversations, but you never suspected I'd install a hidden camera in my office. This footage clearly shows you bribing and threatening me. With this evidence, denial is futile!"The crowd turned to Sheryl, their gazes heavy with shock and suspicion. When their eyes shifted to Justin, doubt lingered in the air.Sheryl's heart sank, her face draining of color.As cautious as she was, she had miscalculated. But it didn't matter. She had carried out the task herself, avoiding any direct mention of Justin's orders. Justin could still be saved.It was Sheryl who had fallen short in her responsibilities, and she was ready to tak
Jasper's eyes blazed with fury as he locked his gaze on Justin, a sharp, determined gleam in his dark eyes. "I will clear my name and restore my reputation, no matter the cost!" he declared, his voice ringing with resolve.The tension between Justin, standing on stage, and Jasper, positioned below, was palpable—like a killer whale facing off with a great white shark. The outcome was still uncertain."I, Landon Harper, swear on my name and the entirety of Harper Group that Jasper never did drugs. The whole situation was a setup!" Landon's voice resounded throughout the entire hall. The reporters buzzed with questions. "Who would do such a thing?"Landon refrained from directly naming Justin, aware that exposing the wolf in sheep's clothing would not be easy. Accusing him too hastily might provide Justin with an opportunity to counterattack, exploiting any gaps in their case.Landon had no fear of tarnishing his own reputation, but he was deeply concerned about the damage it m
Everyone turned to look behind them.Justin's icy gaze locked onto the doors, his expression dark and foreboding. The light pouring in from outside was blinding, piercing through the shadows like a blade. As the crowd squinted against the glare, two figures emerged, standing tall and resolute side by side.It was Jasper and Landon. Clad in a sleek black suit, Landon bore traces of dust but appeared otherwise unscathed. Jasper, however, was a stark contrast. His clothes were torn and bloodied, his appearance disheveled, but his demeanor was anything but defeated. Standing straight and proud, his frigid stare was enough to make the crowd shrink back, unwilling to meet his eyes."Mr. Justin," Landon began, his voice sharp and cutting, "you've gone to great lengths to keep Jasper from this press conference."Ever the rebel with the air of a street-hardened fighter, Landon didn't mince words. "To stop him, you sent assassins to ambush him. You had your people block his way in the
Meanwhile, the light above one of Taylor General Hospital's emergency surgery theaters flickered off. Moments later, the door swung open, and a doctor emerged, pulling down his surgical mask. Mandy hurried toward the doctor, her eyes brimming with worry. "How is that poor man doing?" "Mrs. Taylor, it's fortunate you brought him in when you did. Ten minutes later, and we might not have been able to save him. He went into shock from excessive blood loss, but he's stable now. I gave him a transfusion and sutured his wounds. He'll need rest and proper nutrition to recover fully."Relief washed over Mandy, and her tense body slackened. Her knees nearly buckled as she murmured, "Thank God… Thank God!" Once the doctor departed, Mandy instructed her driver to purchase the best blood-replenishing supplements available, sparing no expense.The driver had only been employed by the Taylor family for the past two years, so he was unaware of the true reasons behind Mandy's actions. To him, h
Soon enough, Jasper and Jonah found themselves surrounded by a horde of fighters. The atmosphere was charged with a vicious, merciless tension that heightened their awareness. They were now in the underground parking lot of Berenike Hotel.This was one of the Beckett family's properties, with Newton overseeing the construction personally.Berenike Hotel had always been the leader among all the five-star hotels in Solana City. Yet, on this day, when a critical press conference was about to begin, Justin chose to start a massacre in the hotel's parking lot, disregarding the potential damage to the hotel's reputation. His actions were utterly insane and perverse. "Shall we each take down ten of them?" Jonah nudged Jasper with his elbow. Narrowing his eyes, he added, "The press conference starts in ten minutes. Think you can wrap this up by then?"A cold, fierce glint flashed in Jasper's usually dull eyes. "I'll take down 15 and leave five for you." "Why only five for me?"Jasp
The golden iris stood as a symbol of triumph."Ms. Alyssa, we're on track. We'll make it to the press conference on time!" Sean declared, stepping on the accelerator with a fiery look in his eyes. "Safety first," Alyssa reminded him in a calm, steady voice. Surprisingly, at this crucial juncture, she appeared composed. "Taty is due soon, and you're about to become a father. As a family man, you shouldn't be as reckless as before." The thought of his unborn son brought a blissful smile to Sean's face, softening his fiery resolve.Alyssa closed her eyes, though her mind remained in overdrive. The truth was, she was forcing herself to stay alert. Ever since Amber's disappearance, she hadn't had a single restful night. The once carefree Alyssa, who could sleep through anything, was long gone. Her frayed nerves left her in a weakened state, but she held on.She had survived when others hadn't, and that resilience fueled her belief that she could endure again. This time, she wou
In an instant, the woman burst into tears. Remy, in an alarmed state, scanned the area outside the car. Satisfied that he was momentarily safe, he loosened his grip on the woman, only to discover his palms were damp. The woman's face was drenched in tears. As he stared into her misty eyes, recognition dawned on him—she was the woman who had chased him at the hospital, frantically calling him "Damien". This could only mean she was Damien Taylor's mother. Remy straightened abruptly, putting distance between himself and Mandy. A surge of emotion tightened his chest, leaving him shaken. Silence blanketed the car. Despite her usual composure, Mandy was overwhelmed. Her tears were unstoppable as she gazed at him. Nothing else seemed to matter. At that moment, Mandy's driver opened the car door and climbed in, saying, "Mrs. Taylor, here are the desserts you ordered for Mr. Taylor—"Remy's reddened eyes darkened. His muscles tensed as he reached for the door handle, ready to l