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
Alyssa still held Jasper's name in high regard. Jameson's eyes had a gleam when he saw his love rival calling up his crush. He called out softly, "Lyse."Her eyes deepened. She decided to pick up. "Hello?"Jameson was filled with disappointment as well as resentment toward Jasper.Meanwhile, Jasper gazed at the illuminated windows from a distance, uncertain of where she was or if he would get to see her. His voice was hoarse."Lyse, it's snowing. The first snow in Solana City this year.""Right," she responded flatly. "So, what's the matter?"Jasper was taken aback by her reaction. After a brief pause, he mustered the courage to suggest, "May I invite you to enjoy the snow tonight?""Do you have the memory of a goldfish?" she asked with a frown."Um, no.""Do you understand the state of our relationship now? Do you think it's appropriate for us to do that?""Well, it's still better than spending time with Jameson Schmidt," Jasper commented enviously.Simultaneously angered a
Jameson tightly embraced Alyssa the moment she fainted. His eyes grew darker as he spiraled into madness.…Meanwhile, Jasper found himself lightly dusted with snow. He waited faithfully by the entrance, prepared to spend the night there.Suddenly, the villa's gates swung open. Jasper jolted with excitement, only to feel his heart sink as he witnessed a pale Jameson marching toward him.He shot Jameson a tense look and curled his fists. He asked, "Where's Lyse?"Jameson adjusted his glasses with a menacing grin, filled with the triumph of a victor. He replied, "She'll be spending the night at my place. She won't be going home or watching the snow with you because she's resting now. "If you have any decency left and if you care about your image, you should leave immediately. I need to return to her."Jasper felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He retorted, "Jameson, are you happy now? You're only with Alyssa because you played dirty!""Sure. So what?" A greedy look fla
The next morning, Alyssa woke up groggily, still disoriented.Her eyes suddenly fluttered open, and she bolted upright in bed. She found herself in a monochromatic room, the scent of incense wafting through the air, making her feel relaxed."This is a man's bedroom ... Jameson's room?" Alyssa gasped, her head throbbing as if she had been struck in the head.The only thing she recalled from last night was the fight with Jasper. After that, her memory blanked. Heart racing, she quickly left the room.In the kitchen downstairs, Jameson was making breakfast for Alyssa. He was wearing a white shirt with his sleeves rolled up.He was bathed in the morning sunlight that cast a gentle, almost ethereal glow over his features. He looked like a soft painting.Jameson frequently cooked, but he never bothered with an apron as he never wore the same outfit twice."Jameson," Alyssa called out to him. He cast a gentle glance and said, "Lyse, you're up. How are you feeling?""Jameson," Alyssa b
"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
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa