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
"Lyse, Silas, Cyrus, Sean, and I are in front of Jameson's villa," Jonah said tersely, his voice as commanding as thunder. He provided her with a sense of security."Jonah, I'm all good. You guys overreacted …" Alyssa mumbled and massaged her temples, trying to visualize the absurd situation unfolding outside."Overreacting? Lyse, you spent the night at another man's place! As your brothers, we were almost in tears!" Silas yelled, his voice nearly hoarse."Did that guy lay a hand on you? Did you stay willingly, or did he trick you into it? I've got a pair of handcuffs ready for him!" Cyrus turned into a hot-blooded policeman, ready to barge in and arrest Jameson on the spot."Calm down! All of you!" Alyssa instructed, frantically slipping on her heels and leaving the villa. Outside, several luxury cars had surrounded the vicinity.Sean was the first to rush up to her, his eyes filled with tears. He held onto her shoulders and asked, "How are you? Are you okay? Did Jameson Schmidt
Jonah checked his wristwatch, his expression turning icy. He began, "Jameson, I know Lyse very well. She has never spent the night at a man's place in her life."Yet, she was at your place last night. I need an explanation.""You never allowed her to stay out, but you supported her when she decided to elope. For three years, you kept her marriage to that jerk a secret from Uncle Winston. "You let her suffer at her in-laws' place, living without any official recognition," Jameson stated calmly, taking a seat across from Jonah.Jonah's breath briefly stopped. Lips downturned, he taunted, "Oh, is that what you're doing? You're comparing apples to oranges. Lyse willingly married Jasper out of love. "As her brother, I might not agree with her decision, but I had to respect it. You, on the other hand, are a different case."Jameson's eyes wavered as he started to falter.Jonah continued, "I know Lyse isn't into you. If you persist, you'll not only anger her but also change my impres
Landon's private jet touched down at Solana City International Airport under the cover of night. Zoe descended the stairs from the aircraft, wrapped in an opulent fur coat, her radiant brown curls cascading around her. She slipped into the waiting car that had come to pick her up.After the incident with the counterfeit necklace, Landon had grounded Zoe, going so far as to confiscate her phone. He had wanted to cut off her communication with her terrible friends, who had a bad influence on her.In protest, Zoe had resorted to starving herself after bouts of crying and frustration. Penelope couldn't bear to see her daughter suffer. So she had persuaded Landon to release Zoe and send the latter back to Yoarkley for a period of self-reflection instead.By the time it was winter, Landon had reluctantly permitted Zoe to return to Cyrris. Boredom had consumed her in Yoarkley, and Landon hadn't visited her once. It had been too much!Zoe couldn't contain her frustration. "Where's Land
Lauren skipped over to the snowman, and Richie playfully kicked the snowball back. She retrieved it and carefully set it back atop the snowman while standing on her tiptoes.Richie joyfully wagged his tail while circling around Lauren, even playfully rolling by her feet."Haha! Richie, are you cold? I'll crochet a sweater for you someday!"Richie barked as though he understood her. He wagged his tail excitedly and then threw himself at her, showering her cheeks with affectionate licks."Hahaha! That tickles, Richie. Stop fooling around!" Lauren laughed and tumbled onto the snowy ground, and they both rolled around in the snow with delight.Landon gazed tenderly at Lauren and the heartwarming scene, which was rare in his life. He had once believed that an ordinary, happy life was beyond his reach. To his surprise, Lauren had brought him the happiness that every ordinary man deserved."Mr. Landon, I never expected Richie to get along so well with Ms. Lauren. He used to nip at alm
Lauren shook her head furiously. Her heart pounded. She stammered, "I-I got it. I will only do it with you. Don't be upset, okay?"Landon had been treating her exceptionally well over the past few days. He had gifted her beautiful clothes she had only seen on Betty before—clothes she had never owned.What's more, the food at the private villa was delicious, even if it wasn't quite on par with Alyssa's cooking.In addition, Landon took care of her in every way, from drying her hair to feeding her and even sharing a bed, all without crossing any boundaries. Since he had been so good to her, she couldn't bear to do anything that might upset him."Good girl."Her eyes shimmered like a starry night, nearly making Landon kiss her. However, a sudden thought made him reassess his behavior. Was he acting like a pickup artist?Still, he really wished that Lauren could stay by his side forever. The idea of her marrying another man, being intimate with him, and having children tore at his
"No matter what, I will never approve of Lauren as my sister-in-law! Only one of us shall stay!" Zoe snapped and angrily opened the car door.She was surprised when Gary didn't budge. She asked, "Aren't you coming with me?""My apologies, Ms. Zoe. I'm … I'm Mr. Landon's employee, after all. It's inappropriate for me to get involved," Gary answered uneasily."Fine. I understand. I won't tell a soul about your help. In return, I need you to keep a close eye on Landon's activities," Zoe reminded him. Her pretty face was in stark contrast to the menacing look in her eyes. "I'll reward you generously if you do a good job."Gary shook his head with a loyal expression and declared, "I will be willing to do anything for you."Zoe left the car, slammed the door shut, and quietly cursed, "Pfft. He's just punching above his weight. I wouldn't have kept him around if he wasn't useful to me. I feel sick just sharing a space with him."Zoe knocked on the door, leading a few bodyguards and he
"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