Jasper knew mentioning the issues in the Harper family would only upset Landon, so he rarely brought it up, though it remained an area of concern for him.Alyssa continued, "Mrs. Harper is a woman with traditional beliefs. After her husband's unfortunate passing, the hope of the family now lies on Landon's shoulders. "If she already has a grudge against Betty, how could Lauren ever make it past her? Landon adores and respects his mother. "Do you think he'd challenge her just to be with Lauren? Don't forget that cunning sister of his, too, who's been using Betty as a pawn to get her way. Do you think she'd treat Lauren any differently?"If Lauren really stays by Landon's side, it would upset his entire family system and only cause more disturbance to her life. Would Lauren truly be happy, then? "Even if Landon loved her with all her might, their love would slowly crumble under the weight of all these obstacles sooner or later. Not to mention how innocent Lauren is—what could she
The familiar voice cut through Jasper's heart like a blade.Alyssa suddenly came back to her senses and tore away from Jasper's grip, as if she'd been caught doing something inappropriate. She shoved Jasper away, making the man stumble backward."What are you doing here, Mr. Jameson?" Alyssa asked curtly, unable to mask the shock in her eyes. Jameson bristled with killing intent, shaking just the slightest against the dark background. He shot Jasper a menacing glare, pushing at his glasses. It disappeared just as swiftly as it came, though not before Jasper picked up on it. In response, Jasper stirred up the deadliest energy he could muster, nearly snarling at Jameson. He was never one to lose when it came to this, especially not now when he stood before the woman he loved.Alyssa noticed Jasper's gaze. It looked like he was ready to tear Jameson limb by limb.Alyssa was perplexed by the animosity displayed. Was it all because Jameson stopped him from taking advantage of her?
There was rarely anything that could satiate Jameson. But one thing that could do the trick was crushing and torturing Jasper Beckett.Alyssa regained her composure and questioned, "Jameson, why are you here?""I've moved into a villa behind yours," he revealed with an affectionate gaze. She was utterly astonished and gasped, "What?"Equally shocked, Jasper's chest tightened as he sensed an impending threat."I said we're neighbors now, Lyse," teased Jameson, tilting his head and flashing a gentlemanly and youthful smile at her.Then, he extended his hand to her, saying, "Hello, new neighbor. Let's get along well in the future."Although she was taken aback, Alyssa regathered her composure and politely shook his hand, effectively keeping her ex-husband, Jasper, out of the conversation."Lyse, would you like to visit my new place?" Jameson invited her. Just like her, he was an opportunist. He added, "I bought a lot of fresh seafood, including salmon and lobsters—your favorite
A sudden gust of wind brushed past Jasper's nose. Jameson's punch was brutal and swift. Jasper would have been punched in the face if he hadn't been trained enough to dodge the ambush. From that deceptive move, Jasper could tell that Jameson was a wolf in sheep's clothing. There was another reason he could never let Alyssa be with Jameson. Never!The attack unfolded in the blink of an eye, so swiftly that not even Alyssa noticed the altercation as she proceeded toward Jameson's villa.Once again, Jameson hurled punches at Jasper, but the latter skillfully evaded each one. Jameson launched another kick that narrowly missed Jasper's chest.Jameson staggered backward, fighting to regain his balance, the veins in his seemingly feeble arms throbbing beneath his elegant silver cufflinks.Meanwhile, Jasper stood at the same spot despite suffering the attacks. Jameson adjusted his glasses, his eyes smoldering with rage.For years, Jameson had obsessively honed his skills under the guida
"Everything he did, he did it for you.""So, is he willing to harm others on my behalf?" Alyssa couldn't take it any longer and snickered. "He's attempting to justify his uncivilized behavior. He'd better not use that excuse anymore—it'll only embarrass me!""Alyssa!" Jasper called out to her, his tone laden with bitterness. He felt like he was being crushed. "I'm not trying to justify my actions. I just have one question for you—what do I mean to you?"Her breath caught, and her heart ached. In the dim light, she could see the shattered look in Jasper's eyes and the pain that was etched across his face.Jameson's sharp gaze bore into Jasper's pale face."If you stay out of my life, we might have a chance to be business partners in the future. If you remain stubborn, we can only be enemies," Alyssa cautioned. Then, she walked away slowly, holding Jameson without even glancing at Jasper.Jasper stood motionless for a long time, feeling as though the world had forsaken him.After
Everything in Jameson's place was new. It was evident that he had recently settled in.He had embraced a simple and minimalist monochromatic style for home decor. Alyssa could tell from one look that the furniture and houseware he had chosen were from understated luxury brands.When she stepped into the house, she immediately shuddered from the coldness. It wasn't the heater's problem. The spacious halls, coupled with the boring color palette, sent a chill down her body."Lyse, are you feeling cold?" Jameson retrieved a pair of white home slippers from the shoe rack, knelt on one knee, and placed them at Alyssa's feet. "Put these on. I'll turn up the heat."She blinked and slid her feet into the warm, comfortable slippers.She was surprised to find that the slippers were brand new and the right fit for her. They appeared to have been prepared especially for her."Jameson, you're home," Claire greeted them with a warm smile. She was the housekeeper responsible for taking care of
Feeling touched, Alyssa kneeled in front of Lily on one knee and flashed a brilliant smile. "Don't worry! I'll be a good friend to Jimmy."…Jameson took off his jacket and strode to the kitchen in his white shirt and gray vest. Alyssa, though a guest, felt uneasy about having him cook for her. Hence, she followed him into the kitchen."I'll lend you a hand. You don't even have a chef. It would take ages to prepare the dishes," Alyssa softly suggested, her eyes fixed on the exquisite ingredients laid out on the table. She couldn't resist the urge to start cooking herself and began rolling up her sleeves."No worries. Everything's ready to go. The seafood dishes will be ready in no time," Jameson reassured her, a concerned look in his eyes. "Lyse, I remember you're allergic to smoke. It's quite oily and smoky in the kitchen. Why don't you join my mom in the living room for a chat instead?"A surprised expression crossed her face as she tensed up. She stammered, "H-How did you kno
The dinner was filled with merry laughter. Jameson wanted to serve a bottle of wine from his precious collection, but Alyssa found herself sipping on juice, thanks to Lily's insistence. Over the course of the evening, she downed various types of fruit juices.After dinner, Claire entertained Lily in order to give Jameson and Alyssa some personal time. Jameson then took Alyssa on a tour of his villa, graciously sharing his antique collection. They marveled at notable pieces such as Paulo Gagarin's "Impressionist Oil Landscape Painting", Van Gogh's "Landscape with Snow", a vase from the Victorian era, and many more treasures, each of which would be worth a significant amount at auction.Alyssa stood before the table, examining the paintings with a magnifying glass. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, clearly infatuated with the items."Do you like them? I'll wrap them up for you to take home if you wish," Jameson offered with a warm smile as he rested his arm on the bed.While she w
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