Jasper's heart thumped wildly as he tenderly gazed at Alyssa. He momentarily fell into a daze from the hurtful words she directed at him."M-Madam!" Rose gasped at Alyssa's unexpected presence, her face a mixture of emotions. She had so many questions for Alyssa, but she had no idea where to begin."Jasper Beckett, why are you here?" Alyssa wondered aloud. Jasper noticed that she seemed indifferent to him, as though they had never experienced the near-death incident at the mountain park. Her reaction stung, but he replied softly, "I've come to see you because I miss you.""Cut the crap. Do you even believe in what you just said?" She smirked, not believing in a word he said. He merely stood there speechlessly."Fine. You've seen her. Now, please leave," Rose angrily demanded her visitors to leave. Jasper had been involved with Liana earlier. Now that Liana was done for good, he immediately made a U-turn to win back Alyssa. Rose found him distasteful."I'm not leaving," he firm
Alyssa slowly narrowed her eyes at Jasper with a look that could cut through steel. He appeared a bit flustered under her intense scrutiny. She didn't mince words as she remarked, "That's disgustingly corny, even if you think it isn't."He stammered, "I just ... want to be closer to you." Perplexed by her sudden anger, he realized he was utterly clueless when it came to comforting women. As a company president known for his decisiveness in business and eloquence at global summits, he now felt utterly helpless before the woman he loved."Please, don't call me Lyse, like how you called her 'Lia.' It only makes you associate me with her, and that's a grave insult." She fixed a piercing look on him. In response, he pursed his lips, feeling his throat catch.The pain he had inflicted on her had never truly lessened. She remained as hurt as the day they divorced. Every time he evoked their past, she would latch onto it and dwell on the hurt.Never had she considered forgiving him
"A family member I know is celebrating her birthday soon. I'd like Sharon to design a dress as a gift to that family," Jasper responded with a hint of discretion in his voice. He was keeping his surprise gift for Lyla a secret from Alyssa.Despite his good intentions, Alyssa took it the wrong way. She smirked at him and said, "Oh, right. I forgot that Her Royal Highness Mrs. Beckett is celebrating her birthday this weekend. I assume you're trying to win your dad's favor by sending her a gift. How considerate of you.""Alyssa Taylor," he warned her with a frown. He didn't mind a bit of teasing, but he didn't want to be misunderstood."When you contact Sharon, please don't mention that the dress is a birthday gift for Sophia Kirkman. I'm worried she might give you a good scolding," Alyssa retorted and angrily turned her back to him.Then, she added, "Are you finished? If you are, please leave. You're distracting me while I'm working—Ouch!" In a moment of distraction, she accidental
The setting sun bathed Alyssa and Jasper in a radiant golden hue, their figures entwined beneath the glass windows. It was a breathtaking spectacle. The fading sunlight felt as tender as the kiss they had just shared.The kiss left her feeling a bit giddy, a sensation that was electrifying and momentarily immobilizing. Initially, she punched at his chest and shoulders, but over time, her strength waned. His masculine charm left her breathless, and her legs went weak.She found herself gradually retreating until he pressed her against a table, causing the items on it to scatter to the floor.In the midst of making out, she let out a moan that seemed both like a protest and a plea. Jasper was incredibly turned on by the sight, and he blushed all the way to the tip of his ear. An unprecedented burning feeling engulfed him as if she had lit a fire on his body.At that moment, he made an unspoken promise to himself that Alyssa was the only woman he would ever kiss in such a manner
"I have moved on," Alyssa replied without thinking and hugged Rose back. She continued, "If I don't move forward after the divorce, what does that say about me? For 13 years, I didn't treat myself right because of him. But now that I've left him, I won't make the same mistake again. It's time to focus on the future."Rose sighed, her eyes misty as she could see the pain in Alyssa's heart from the way Jasper had treated her. Healing would be a long, arduous journey."Exactly! We must look ahead to the future. A smart woman does not blindly fall in love!" Rose concurred and patted Alyssa on the shoulder. She playfully chirped, "Madam, let's have a feast tonight and enjoy some good wine. I think I'll find your tragic love story quite entertaining.""Oh, my love life is a complete mess. I can't even bear to recount it," Alyssa replied with a smile and lifted her chin. "And you, Rose? You're always swooning over attractive men. Any new romances to share?"Rose scoffed, "What romance
The news had come in—Sharon had made it clear that she had no intention of designing a dress for Sophia."Sharon's studio staff informed us that she will not design a dress for you, no matter what amount you offer," Betty timidly conveyed the message to Sophia.Sophia's eyes bulged in anger. She growled, "But why?""Mom, don't press for the reason," Betty found it difficult to disclose Sharon's reasoning."Quit beating around the bush! Tell me now!"Shuddering, Betty bit the bullet and confessed, "Sharon said that she will not ruin her reputation by designing dresses for clients with tainted reputations." Betty had, in fact, rephrased Sharon's words to sound civil, as Sharon's original remark was incredibly insulting. It appeared that Sharon held Sophia in low regard."Damn it! This is outrageous!" Sophia exclaimed in a fit of rage and hurled her expensive makeup products onto the floor. Her eyes blazed with anger, and her face turned beet red. "She's just a dress designer. W
Javier's gaze wavered. He sternly rebuffed, "What nonsense is that? What do I have to do with Winston Taylor's woman?""You were a shareholder of TS Network before we even met. Back then, Lyla's fame was on the rise, and rumors were flying that you were her sugar daddy. Reporters took photos of you and Lyla meeting in private. "Are you sure there was nothing between the two of you?" Sophia couldn't help but mention the past at the thought of Lyla. She was green in envy.She had chosen to date Javier not only because he was the heir of Beckett Group but also because rumors had it that he was Lyla's man.That was why she felt compelled to take everything in Lyla's possession. And if she couldn't, she was willing to destroy it all.Growing increasingly enraged, Javier asserted, "There's absolutely nothing between me and Lyla."Sophia was stung by the intense look in his eyes and cowered. He added, "If there had been something between us, do you think I'd have ended it with her an
As the weather was getting colder, Alyssa stopped rowing on the lake behind the villa. Still, she was disciplined when it came to workouts. Clad in a snug-fitting pink athletic outfit, she went for a treadmill run instead. Her face was flushed, and she was covered in sweat.With a towel and a bottle in each hand, Sean reported, "Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Beckett have compiled the guest lists. After comparing them, I found a 50% overlap."She didn't look surprised. "As expected."Sean looked worried and confessed, "I'm a little concerned now. Madam Lyla is having her birthday party at the KS World Hotel, while Sophia is having hers at the Berenike Hotel. It smells like a rivalry all over again.""It's not us who wanted to compete against her. It was that witch who wanted to host her party on the same day as Lyla's. She's not afraid of karma, it seems," Alyssa was able to speak and taunt Sophia, all while running hard on the treadmill."You're absolutely right. Sophia is the
Jonah's gaze burned with a mix of longing, sorrow, and something deeply affectionate. The world swam back into focus as Julien looked at Jonah. Without preamble, he asked, "Are you new? How much do you charge per night?"Light-headed and grinning, Julien reached out a hand, his fingers brushing softly against Jonah's cheek. "You're pretty good-looking," he said, his voice slurred. Then his expression shifted. "Why do you… look so much like someone I hate with every fiber of my being?"Jonah's heart clenched. Even so, he slid his arms around Julien's waist. Trembling, he pulled Julien into his arms. "I'm new here. Could you help me meet my target tonight, Mr. Lovelace?"Julien's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Jonah. Jonah's eyes teared up as he held Julien's waist tightly. "I promise you won't be disappointed," he said, his voice deep. Watching from the shadows below the stage, Evan nearly gagged at Jonah's sultry tone. Was this really the Judas he knew? The man sounded downri
The bar was alive with striking lights and thundering music, and the air was thick with the scent of tobacco and alcohol. The atmosphere was one of moral decay—corrupt, degrading, and vile. "Where's Julien?" Jonah's voice cut through the noise, his tone icy and sharp. When Jonah stepped inside, the eyes of several men turned toward him, their gazes filled with illicit intent."Why, hello there. Are you here alone? Are you feeling lonely?" A sexy man sauntered over, draping himself over Jonah's shoulders. He let his hands linger with a playful squeeze. "If you're bored, I'd be happy to keep you company." Jonah's expression darkened. His hands trembled, veins bulging with barely contained rage. Suddenly, Evan burst through the crowd, his face twisting in alarm at the sight of Jonah surrounded by a swarm of predatory men. Evan yelled, "Don't touch him!" A heavy thump reverberated through the room. Gasps erupted as people scrambled back.The man who had draped himself over
Rafe stated, "But Beckett Group is in the middle of a storm right now. If I insisted on giving your corporation the project, my superiors would investigate me. I wouldn't be able to escape unscathed!""If you're investigated, I'll make sure you can still live a life of luxury—even if you lose your job." Justin's tone darkened. "But if you turn against me, you won't just suffer a few losses. You'll lose everything."Under the dim moonlight, Justin fiddled with his antique tea cup, his gaze narrowing. "You've worked so hard to get to where you are. Are you prepared to lose it all?"After ending the call, Justin turned to Remy, who stood quietly at the side. "Sheryl is still being detained. She can't be bailed out for another two days. I need someone to watch over the research lab. You'll handle that."Remy was taken aback. "I failed my last mission. Aren't you going to punish me?"Justin's smile was cold and insincere. "It wasn't your fault. You were ambushed. If not for that, I tru
Remy pursed his lips, bending down to pick up the fallen poker card. It was the King of Spades—an entry pass to Kings' Club. "My attacker was…" Remy's pupils constricted as he tightened his grip on the card. "It can only be that dear uncle of mine, always claiming to see me as his own son." Justin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "He's trying to get rid of my right-hand man, taking advantage of my internal feud with Jasper. Weakening me is just his first step toward gaining control over me."He's been a fugitive ever since his successful prison break, never returning to Cyrris after receiving his life sentence. His power base remains in Kontina. "I'm the last surviving Dutton. The Dutton Group, as a cover, has declared bankruptcy and severed all ties with the country. "My dear uncle has taken a huge risk just to target me. He sent his men to attack you in Solana City. What a delightful surprise. It seems he truly doesn't trust me, his only remaining family."Remy lowere
The hospital ward grew heavy with silence. Mandy and Neil stared at Alyssa, stunned beyond words. "M-Ms. Alyssa, you knew that man was Mr. Damien?" Neil asked, disbelief etched into his voice. "Yes." Alyssa's reply was quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "We found out when Cyrus took Damien's cigarette butt for a paternity test."Mandy approached Alyssa, her shoulders trembling slightly. "So, you and Cyrus knew… and you both kept it from me?" Mandy said, her voice catching in her throat, tears welling up. Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Mandy, I'm sorry. It was my decision. Cyrus had nothing to do with it."Mandy's tears fell freely now, her grief spilling out in raw sobs. "Do you know what it's been like for me all these years, thinking Damien was gone? Winston, Miley, Lyla, and Colene kept telling me to move on. I tried to accept that he was dead, that we'd never find his body. But I never did."Her vo
The hospital ward was bathed in a dim, yellow glow from the bedside lamp. The silence was thick, yet the room held a strange warmth—an unfamiliar comfort that felt oddly familiar to Remy.Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to sit up. His eyes fell on Mandy, who was asleep beside his bed. Her hair was a mess, and her swollen eyes suggested she'd been crying. She was sound asleep. Remy stiffened. His breath quickened as he stared at her fragile figure. Slowly, he leaned forward, his fingers lifting slightly, tempted to reach out.Just as his hand hovered close, Mandy's lashes fluttered. In her sleep, she murmured, "Damien… Damien… I miss you so much…" Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unbidden.A pang tugged at Remy's heart. Without thinking, he brushed away her tears with his calloused fingers. The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through him, sharp and electrifying. Pain throbbed at his temples, but beneath it was a warmth he didn't want to let g
Justin's casual question hit Javier like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through him, freezing his expression. His voice trembled with fear as he barked, "What nonsense is that? Are you accusing me of causing Chester's death? I'm your father—how could you think I'd do such a thing?""It's not an accusation. Just the facts," Justin replied coolly, crossing his legs and savoring his tea with unsettling calm. "And I'm not condemning you. In fact, I understand why you did it. I'm facing the same dilemma now."Javier's breathing grew ragged. He had watched Justin grow from a child into the man before him—now a predator, circling with quiet menace."You were meant to be the heir as the eldest son," Justin continued, his voice smooth as silk. "But Grandpa favored Uncle Chester, handing him major projects, grooming him in plain sight. "Uncle Chester's reputation soon eclipsed yours. He was a natural leader, adept at business, with one fatal flaw—he was kind. Too kind. Unlike you."Justin
Nonetheless, night had fallen by the time Justin arrived at Seaview Manor. On his way there, he worked on two things. First, he secured the top legal team to get Sheryl out on bail as quickly as possible. Second, he tried reaching Remy—unsuccessfully. He had never lost contact with Remy before. Justin's face was as dark as the night itself. The moment he stepped inside Seaview Manor, Rory approached with a solemn expression. He gave a slight bow before speaking. "Mr. Justin, what took you so long? Mr. Javier has been waiting.""I was occupied," Justin replied coolly. Then, as if it were an ordinary evening, he allowed a faint smile. "Where's Jasper? Is he back here yet?" A conflicted look came across Rory's face. "Things between you and Mr. Jasper have soured. I doubt he'll want to see you anytime soon—or show up here.""Is that so? How disappointing."Justin's smile didn't reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on Rory, sharp and bottomless. "So, he'd rather believe what he se
Jonah scoured every corner of the hotel, desperation clawing at his chest, but Julien was nowhere to be found. "Jonah!" Alyssa called out, breathless as she caught up to him. She grabbed his arm. "Calm down! I'll help you search for Jul!""I can't find him. He's gone," Jonah murmured, sinking to the floor. His tears mixed with sweat, creating dark patches on the ground. "Lyse… I fear… if I can't find Julien this time, I'll lose him forever."The agonizing thought of losing the love of his life pierced him. "No, you won't!" Alyssa gripped his arm tighter, her voice trembling with conviction. "If Jul had given up on you, he wouldn't have come here today. The fact that he showed up means he still cares."Jonah's eyes were bloodshot, filled with a pain too deep to hide. He shook his head slowly. "Julien came back for Jasper. He did it because he's loyal… because he's a good friend. Not because of me.""He does care!" Alyssa insisted. "If he didn't, he would've faced you without fli