Jasper sat on the couch in the study, gently massaging his temples. He rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. Shoulders trembling, he appeared to be in great pain.His head started aching on the way home, and his condition was exacerbated after listening to the three women badmouthing Alice.A princess who was a pauper … It was not their place to badmouth Alice."Mr. Jasper, is your headache acting up again? I'll get the medications!" Mrs. Rosie found the pain relief pills in a drawer and brought him a glass of water. After taking the pills, he seemed more at ease as the pain reduced."You can't rely on pills all the time! I remember that your condition improved after Madam Alice performed some acupuncture on you. Shall we get her to check on you?" Mrs. Rosie suggested."Mrs. Rosie." He choked on tears. "H-Have they been putting down Alice all along? They said that Alice made their meals for three years. Is that true?""Yeah, Mr. Jasper. I told you Madam Alice was a h
"I stole the Antique Rosewood Chair from your dad for you!" Colene sounded as happy as a child."Sorry for the trouble! I'll have to thank you when we meet again." Alyssa rubbed her hands excitedly."It's not a problem as long as it makes you happy!""What will you do if Winston learns about it?" Alyssa was worried for Colene. However, Colene was cool about it. "I'm childless, so I have nothing to fear. If anything bad happens to me, just take care of my funeral!"Alyssa was left speechless at her quirky stepmom.…Night fell. After a busy day, Sean drove Alyssa back to the villa. She kicked off her heels and changed into a pair of soft, red velvety slippers. Stretching, she decided to enjoy a bubble bath."Ms. Alyssa, I'll get the bath ready." Sean quickly rolled his sleeves."It's fine. I can do it. Can you throw together a simple dinner? " She gave him a tired smile."Sure. What would you like?" "A blue cheese chicken sandwich."Sean hated the smell of blue cheese, but
When the door opened, Landon slid into the living room speedily, worried that Alyssa might change her mind. "Gosh, it's so hard to visit you. The entrance fee is pretty exorbitant."Under the lights, Alyssa's curves were accentuated by the tight robe on her body. Her tiny waist and buttery skin were luscious. He swallowed hard upon casting his eyes on her."Mr. Harper, your eyes are wandering elsewhere," Sean reminded him with much hostility."It's human nature to love beauty. I'm looking at her with the sole intention of admiring an artwork," he grinned and talked his way out of it shamelessly. It was the first time Sean had come across a man who'd reframe his inappropriate behavior into something noble."Is LAN's sculpture in this box?" She stared keenly at the box in his arms."Yes. I bought two sculptures from her—one for Jasper's grandpa and the other for you." His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Alice, LAN's artworks are handmade. She'll only put ten items on sale every ye
Alyssa said, "Let's do another one.""But you promised to do me a favor!" Landon frowned like a little brat."I really can't agree to that." Alyssa put on a serious face. "I promised Grandpa to show up as his daughter-in-law for the birthday. I will have nothing to do with the Beckett Family after that. "I'm afraid I'll only upset him if I show up to his birthday with a male partner. It's my wish to grant him a memorable 80th birthday. I don't have much time with him, anyway …"A tinge of wistfulness crept into her eyes."Alice, you're a lovely woman. Jasper lost out on you because he's blind!" Landon sighed. Upon second thought, he wouldn't have had a chance with Alice had it not been for Jasper's mistake. Jasper's loss was Landon's gain—a chance at love and happiness!"That's why I wanted us to do another one." She caressed the sculpture with much affection."How about you call me by my name? 'Mr. Harper' sounds too formal." He blinked earnestly."Is that it? My favors don
Twenty minutes later, Jasper showed up in front of Alyssa's villa. He rolled down the windows and stared at the warm lights from the windows, frustrated at the thought of Landon and Alice alone.Frowning, he clutched his phone in his sweaty palm. The screen showed the photo of Alice in a sexy, silky nightdress that showed off her lovely curves.She had only worn loose cotton pajamas in the past, which made her look pregnant. After the divorce, she had let loose of herself and turned into a siren who captivated men everywhere!His firm chest rose and fell. Looking at the photo, he tugged on the perfect knot on his tie. He felt a rush of temptation. …On the other hand, Landon stared at Alyssa with a long face while she chomped on the blue cheese chicken sandwich. He grew up in a very sheltered environment, where his mom doted on him and catered to his fussy tastebuds. He would never eat something like blue cheese."Aren't you eating? It won't be nice when it gets cold," she wonde
The screen went dark, but Jasper's angry eyes were etched on Alyssa's mind. How could that bastard dare to threaten Landon with the divorce? That was tasteless. "Is he seriously thinking of keeping me under his thumb forever using the divorce?" she thought furiously."Alice, I'm sorry." Sniffling, Landon felt a little uneasy. "It's all my fault for being a big mouth. I shouldn't have told him …""It's not your fault." She took a deep breath and cracked her knuckles. "That shameless prick Jasper Beckett is to blame! He just won't let me live in peace."Landon had always acted macho and arrogant in front of ladies. The women around him were mostly submissive and quiet. Therefore, he was flustered by Alyssa's outburst, which was his first experience of being subjugated by a woman.Thunder clapped, followed by bolts of lightning. Rain was coming."Let's have dinner. Ignore him." She left in anger. Standing by the entrance, Landon threw a glance at the door when he was struck by a mo
The winds howled in the downpour as a flash of purple lightning struck. Alyssa recalled that Jasper was standing under a tree just now.The thought terrified her, especially because Jasper was on his phone. Was he asking to be struck by lightning?"Jasper Beckett, I will never meet you out there. Stop calling me and go home now!" Her eyes had turned red."I will not leave if you aren't coming out." His tone was steely."Madman. You're an asshole!" Her face was flushed in anger. She cussed while making her way to the stairs to get out of the villa. Sean called out to her repeatedly but failed to stop her.…Jasper grasped the phone tightly in his hand with a deep frown. Standing firmly, he stared at the door of the villa.He breathed heavily, his eyes lit up with hope when the door was finally opened. Alyssa made her way to him with a jacket on her shoulders and a huge black umbrella in her hand. The wind messed up her hair. She looked frail in the rain, as though she'd be blow
"Ackk—" Despite Jasper's best efforts to hold the pain, he let out a deep groan. Still, he held on tightly to Alyssa.Her eyes wavered in shock as her heart beat against her chest. "Jasper, are you alright?""I'm fine. Get into the car." He endured the pain and grabbed her wrist stubbornly.The rain poured down as she was dragged into the car, speechless at Jasper. The car's interior was dark, damp, and filled with the warmth of their breaths.He threw his wet jacket onto the front passenger seat. His eyes were half-hidden behind his damp bang. He still looked hot even when he was a mess.Still frightened, Alyssa recalled Jasper's hug at that terrifying moment just now. She had mixed feelings about it.In their three years of marriage, he had never hugged her. She finally experienced comfort and safety in his arms."Is that what Liana has been enjoying daily?" she wondered. She smirked at the thought. It didn't matter because he was not hers anymore."Did Jonah Taylor buy you
Alyssa followed Jasper into the study. The door closed behind her with a soft click. She didn't move to switch on the lights or sit down. Instead, she stood quietly in the dim room.They faced each other, eyes locked. In the darkness, their gazes seemed brighter, charged with emotions that neither could put into words. Whatever stirred within them was tangled and silent—kept at bay by something unspoken, as if a wall had formed between heart and mouth. After a pause, Alyssa offered a faint smile. Her voice was soft, almost courteous. "Go ahead, Mr. Beckett. I won't be staying long tonight—I've made other arrangements."It was clear she didn't want to be alone in a room with him.Jasper's chest tightened, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion he couldn't define. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "You didn't vote against the motion at today's board meeting. I wanted to know… are we still on the same side?"Alyssa's gaze lowered, her voice steady and calm. "You didn't object
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
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