Jasper didn't have a choice. The men surrounding Alyssa were all distinguished in their own right. Now, he had another Taylor sibling to worry about—Liam, the young colonel."Lyse, he didn't do anything to you, did he?" Liam held Alyssa's shoulders and examined her from head to toe."I'm fine! Let's leave, Liam," suggested Alyssa. She tried to drag Liam away, worried that war would break out between Liam and Jasper at any second.To her dismay, her worst fear came true. Liam addressed the others coldly, "Jonah, Sean, please leave with Alyssa. I'll join you shortly.""Liam!" Alyssa called out to him, her tone tinged with concern. She knitted her brows."Lyse, let's go." Jonah wrapped an arm across her shoulder and gave Jasper a knowing look. He then whispered in Alyssa's ear, "You know Liam is the calmest and the gentlest of all, don't you? Don't worry. He knows where to draw the line."She let out a sigh and left with Jonah. After all, it was unlikely that anything serious wo
Xavier stood in the corridor outside the patient room and glanced warily at the two lines of guards standing there. Their uniform posture and cold demeanor sent a chill down his spine.The door to Jasper's room flung open, followed by the heavy thud of military boots.Liam showed up with a stoic expression while adjusting his beret. After years of strict military training, he was able to keep a poker face at any time.The guards immediately performed a military salute."Let's go," Liam calmly ordered his men and whooshed past Xavier. The guards followed suit, and peace was restored in the corridor.Xavier gaped at Liam's handsome figure. He was charmed by Liam's masculine and regal air. Liam's presence made clear to him that some people were born to be special.When he was spacing out, Jasper had exited the room with a dark expression and heavy footsteps."Mr. Beckett, don't push yourself. You're not in the condition to be discharged!" Xavier advised. He wanted to lend Jasper a
"Silas, let go! You're going to suffocate Lyse," exclaimed Liam.Then, he hurriedly pried Alyssa from Silas' grip when he noticed Alyssa's eyes bulging and her tongue hanging out."Tsk tsk. How interesting! I've only heard of lovers dying for each other, never between a brother and sister!" Cyrus joked and shoved a piece of grilled chicken into his mouth.Tatiana covered her mouth and snorted. She had always been quiet around her older brothers, but she nearly spat her drink at that moment after hearing Cyrus' words.Jonah feared that Tatiana would choke and pat her on the back. He teased, "Silas, stop fooling around with Lyse. She's gone through enough.""You really don't know me, do you? I'm just concerned about her!" Silas retorted. He refused to let go of Alyssa's hand despite Liam having taken her away. The family gathering looked more like a telenovela."By the way, did you receive any award for that woman you courageously saved?" Cyrus asked in curiosity."I fainted after
At that moment, Tatiana stood up with a wine glass in her hand. "Why don't we drink a toast to Lyse? Here's to you reaching new heights in your career, and may everything go smoothly for you.""Gosh, I love what you just said. Come, I'll give you a kiss!" Alyssa chirped and downed her wine before blowing a kiss to her sister.Tatiana lowered her gaze shyly and blushed."Let's all drink to Lyse! All the best for Lyse! Cheers!" The other siblings raised their glass tipsily and passionately.The sincere faces around Alyssa and the clinking of glasses brought tears to her eyes.…The dinner ended on a high note. Alyssa hugged Liam warmly. They had been laughing and joking during dinner, but when it was time to go, they both teared up.Liam's division was stationed not too far away in Leichtown. However, his demanding role required frequent months-long trips, which did not allow him many chances to reunite with his family."Will you be back for Lyla's birthday?" Alyssa ran her hand
Tatiana instantly sobered up when Sean hugged her. Her entire face and neck blushed from the exchange between them."Ms. Tatiana, look out," Sean warned. He thought she was drunk from the way she failed to steady herself. Concerned, he pulled her closer with his hand on her waist.All of a sudden, his heart skipped a beat, and his throat went dry. He couldn't help but admire Tatiana's tiny waist in his grip.Still, as a gentleman, he quickly pulled himself together without betraying any hint of desire."Sean, please send Taty back. Thanks!" Alyssa yelled. She had always been observant, but she was much more relaxed and careless around family. Up until then, she failed to pick up the subtle tension between Sean and Tatiana.She waved at them and left, arm-in-arm with Jonah. It was only Tatiana and Sean alone after that. The air between them froze, leaving them rather flustered."Um, Lyse! Lyse!" Tatiana called out feebly, her heart pumping wild.Sean reassured her with a straig
On their way home, Alyssa grew drowsy as she rested her head on Jonah's shoulder. She had initially planned to ask Jonah what Liam had said to Jasper, but she quickly dismissed the thought, knowing it likely wasn't pleasant. Liam might appear soft and kind, but he could be more sharp-tongued than she was.She didn't want to hear what Liam had said about Jasper, not because she felt sorry for Jasper. Rather, she would be upset if her family disrespected the man she once loved with all her heart."Lyse, are you asleep?" Jonah suddenly whispered."No. What is it, Jonah?" she replied, her mind drifting."Can you sense it, too?"She cast him a confounding look.Jonah smiled. "Did you notice something between Sean and Taty? I could be mistaken, but I have a feeling they might be flirting."Oh.Wait. Flirting?She widened her eyes as she stared agape at him. "Jonah, did you have too much to drink? You're joking, right?""I don't joke about matters of the heart. You probably di
Alyssa's chest felt heavy, and she instinctively curled her numb fingers in response to the unsettling sensation.She couldn't help but wonder why Jasper had never treated Alice White as kindly as he had treated her, Alyssa Taylor."Jonah, I know my likes and dislikes. Maybe you're right—a relationship is never black and white, but that doesn't apply to me because I know what I want," she declared in a teary voice and gazed out the window. "My relationship with Jasper is complicated, but I no longer have any affection for him. I'll never repeat my mistake—wasting my youth on a man is a silly decision with no reward," Alyssa asserted. …Silence enveloped Sean and Tatiana as they journeyed back to her campus, each lost in their thoughts. The Porsche came to a halt at the school's quiet entrance in the middle of the night.Seated in the car, they both seemed to share an unspoken agreement not to get out. The crescent moon cast a soft light over the land, adding a romantic touch to
The moment Tatiana saw that woman, her pupils wavered as she trembled more violently in Sean's embrace. The woman was Brie Caldwell, a fellow student at the same school with the same major as Tatiana. Brie had caused trouble on numerous occasions, subjecting Tatiana to bullying and humiliation.Sean suddenly remembered that Alyssa had mentioned Tatiana's fear of crossing roads and speeding cars.When Lyla married Winston, their children were still quite young. Some jealous adversaries of Winston attempted to harm his children when they couldn't bring him down.At that time, their opponent assumed that Lyla was Winston's least favorite wife and that her child was also the least favored. This adversary went to the extreme of hiring assassins to target Tatiana, who was just seven years old, as revenge against Winston for winning business deals against them.Although Tatiana survived the incident with minor injuries and Winston completely decimated said opponent, she was traumatize
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