"Let go! Let go!" Donna screamed in pain, releasing Lauren's hand. At the same time, Zoe took a few steps backward in shock.Donna kicked and hit Richie, but he refused to release her."Don't hit Richie! No!" Lauren fell on top of the Dobermann to protect him.Filled with resentment, Zoe kicked Lauren again amidst the chaos."Zoe Harper!" A stern voice cut through the turmoil, making Zoe freeze. Her leg was suspended mid-air when she was caught red-handed.She stiffly spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. She mumbled, "L-Landon …"Landon stood tall at the entrance, seething with anger. His expression darkened.His chest heaved as his eyes glinted with an impending storm.Lauren, still unaware of Landon's return, hugged Richie tight and shut her eyes. She curled into a ball, quivering pitifully.Donna nearly fainted from the shock of Landon's arrival and momentarily forgot about her pain. No one had expected him to return so abruptly after he had gone out."Zoe, did
Zoe stood there, utterly shocked. Her face darkened, and it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her. She stumbled over her words, asking, "Landon, what are you saying? Do you no longer see me as your sister?"Landon ignored her questions. Instead, he focused on Lauren, who was now in his arms. He gently massaged her trembling back and reassured her, "There's nothing to be afraid of, Lauren. I'm here now. No one will hurt you."Yet Lauren was no longer as at ease as before. She had put up a guard against him, her rapid breathing reflecting her aversion. She stated, "No. You're Zoe's brother, not mine ..."She weakly pushed against his solid chest with her arms. Each shove felt like a dagger in his heart. She pleaded, "Let me go! I'm going home to Grandpa. I want to go home!""Lauren, be good." Anger colored Landon's eyes as he stubbornly soothed her."Let go of me!" Lauren cried out, but Landon refused to release his grip on her, tightening his embrace instead.Landon's l
"Mr. Landon, calm down," Angelina reminded him, taking a step back. Nonetheless, he stormed out of the room and made his way to the first floor.Sitting on the living room couch, Zoe was overcome with anxiety and covered in sweat. She found herself trapped in the villa under the watchful eyes of four bodyguards."M-Ms. Zoe, Mr. Landon is furious. What should we do?" Donna, who was kneeling on the floor, desperately clung to Zoe's legs."How should I know?"They heard heavy footsteps echoing through the house. As Landon entered the living room with Angelina, an eerie silence enveloped the room."Landon …" Zoe called out to him weakly. Knowing that tantrums wouldn't work on him, she put on a pitiful look instead."You hit and kicked Lauren. I saw everything clearly from the surveillance footage," he stated, suppressing his boiling rage. He couldn't imagine what he would have done if Zoe hadn't been his sister."Landon, I did it because I couldn't contain my anger. We grew up toget
Landon had once spoiled Zoe as her brother, but now she felt nothing except fear for him."You don't have an idea? It's okay as long as I know who he is," Landon taunted. Then, two bodyguards dragged Gary into the house. He had been beaten into a pulp.Zoe gasped and covered her mouth in shock as she watched the trail of blood left behind by Gary as he was dragged inside."Gary, you've served me for a decade, and I've treated you well over the years. You would have been left for dead on the streets if it hadn't been for my help," Landon began.He took a seat on the chair Angelina had pulled out for him. "Is this how you repay my kindness? Posing as my loyal employee while groveling to my sister? You're quite good at this double-agent act.""M-Ms. Zoe, save me …" Gary pleaded desperately, as he had no other option. She quickly averted her gaze from his severely bruised and bloodied face, which made her feel nauseated."Angelina, give him the same old punishment," Landon instruct
After Alyssa and Sean packed up, they prepared to return to Solana City with Mandy's medication for Jasper."Lyse, are you in a hurry? Can't you stay for dinner? It's almost ready," Lyla called out to her and hurried over, wearing an apron."It's alright, Lyla. I have to get home soon," Alyssa replied. She gently held Lyla's face in her hands and examined her. Then, she suggested, "Your birthday is just around the corner. You should take a few days off, relax, and stop doing all the chores. Treat yourself to some beauty spas and look your best for your big day this weekend!"Lyla grumbled, "What birthday? I never wanted to celebrate it. The thought of all the socializing on Sunday tires me." She sighed. "I'm only doing it for your dad.""No, you're wrong. He's doing it for you. Or rather, we're doing it for you," Alyssa corrected her. "Listen to me. Don't overwork yourself. I have my spies at home, and they'll report to me if you refuse to listen. "If I'm upset, I'll show up
After a brief pause, Jonah lowered his voice and cautioned, "You know, Jameson Schmidt is even more calculating than we initially thought. What we've uncovered so far is just the tip of the iceberg."Consider this: he returned from Kontina after a 15-year absence and suddenly became close to you. You're a Taylor, and we're entrusting KS Group to you. "You're a princess, a queen. If you were more high-profile, you would have been the most eligible bachelorette in Cyrris. "I can't shake the feeling that Jameson might have ulterior motives—I don't trust him."He furrowed his brow and continued, "I know this might sound harsh, but, to me, Jameson is even worse than Jasper.""Jonah!" Alyssa exclaimed, gripping her cup tightly as her heart raced.Jonah remarked, "At least Jasper is honest with the woman he loves."Alyssa tightened her grip, her eyes welling up with tears. She retorted, "You're right. He was so devoted to Liana Gardner that he enlisted in the military and went to war
Meanwhile, Jasper was recuperating at a private villa in a nearby suburb.On that particular day, he had taken the medication, marking the conclusion of his first round of treatment. He was aware that Alyssa's employees would deliver the medication for the second round later on.He believed Alyssa was only repaying him for his help, not doing it out of genuine affection for him.Throughout the day, he had experienced mild chest pains. To his surprise, a high fever struck him during the night."Xavier? Xavier?" he croaked, his throat parched and sore, as he struggled to keep his eyes open.After a while, he remembered that he had sent Xavier on an errand to pick up some important documents from Beckett Group. Xavier was probably on the way right now.He managed to rise from the bed, only to discover that his sheets were soaked in sweat. His hair clung to his forehead, and his entire body was drenched, as if he had fallen into a pool.Changing into fresh pajamas, he went downstair
"I was wrong for forcing you against your will. I won't make you do anything that makes you uncomfortable," Jasper announced. His pale complexion was strangely captivating, leaving Alyssa momentarily entranced.Clearing her throat, she placed the medication on the table and rose. "These are the medications for your second round of treatment. Take them on time. I'm leaving."Jasper shook his head and insisted, "No, please take them with you."Frowning, she admonished him, "What are you thinking? Do you want to risk your life? You're a rising star in the business world with a substantial net worth. Are you seriously throwing it all away?""No. I just feel like you shouldn't be indebted to me. I might have saved your life, but I did that because I was making up to you," he explained, shaking his head once more. He added, "You don't have to feel sorry for me, no matter how bad my state is. Besides, I'm much better now. I don't need the medication."Much better? Who was he trying t