Alyssa felt Jasper's hot and heavy breath on her neck, like flames licking her skin, leaving it tinged red."Jasper, are you out of your mind? What's all this nonsense? Jasper!" she exclaimed.Jasper's thin pajamas were soaked with sweat, and it seeped into Alyssa's shirt as well.He teetered between consciousness and a haze of excruciating pain, his body aching. The only thought in his mind was holding onto the woman he loved, despite how pathetic and shameless it made him appear."Lyse, please don't leave me … Don't hate me …" Jasper buried his damp face in her neck and spoke in tears. It was heart-wrenching to hear.Alyssa could feel the warmth on her shoulders. It was impossible to tell if it was sweat or tears. A profound bitterness suddenly washed over her, gripping her very soul.She thought, "Oh, Jasper, you've never been so small in front of me."When she had cried and begged him not to divorce her, he had callously tossed the divorce papers in front of her, forcing her
As Jasper's good friend, Landon felt obliged to help his bro.…Moving a nearly six-foot-tall man to the bedroom proved to be a huge challenge. Thankfully, the villa was equipped with an elevator. Alyssa managed to drag Jasper to the bedroom, feeling as though she was lugging a lifeless body.Upon settling him in bed, she realized that their sweat had mingled, leaving her shirt soaked. "You're incredibly heavy! Count yourself lucky that I didn't have to dismember you." Alyssa panted.Then, she hurried to the bathroom to retrieve a wet towel. She gently applied it to Jasper's skin to alleviate his fever.Exhausted, she slumped beside the bed and complained, "I'm so speechless. Why did you push yourself so hard when you're already sick? You're a handful."She shot the unconscious man an irritated look. Despite her harsh remarks, a sense of guilt gnawed at her, knowing she was partially responsible for his illness."Lyse …" Jasper mumbled with his eyes closed. His lashes flutte
Pinching Alyssa's chin between his fingers, Jasper leaned forward and kissed her aggressively. His tongue forced its way into her mouth and passionately tangoed with hers.…Landon and Xavier were trapped in a seemingly endless wait on the first floor. Xavier paced nervously, casting occasional glances at the second floor.Meanwhile, Landon sat on the couch with a grim expression and stared down at the surveillance footage that played on his phone. He replayed the scene where Zoe had bullied Lauren a couple of times. His anger grew with each replay."Mr. Harper, what are you watching? You look serious," Xavier wondered and went up to Landon. Landon shot him a death glare and waved him away, saying, "Go away. I don't air my dirty laundry."Stunned by Landon's anger, Xavier retreated right away. Landon went back to watching the footage.His heart ached at Lauren's reflex reaction—she had curled up into a ball and wrapped her arms around her head when Zoe had approached her. Wai
Alyssa left the villa and entered Landon's luxury car. Landon quipped, "Lyse, it's rare that you're willing to spend time with me."His eyes were always seductive. He watched the beautiful Alyssa with a grin."I've become more aware of my boundaries now, but I'm concerned that my jealous friend, Jasper, might be upset if he finds out we're chatting here. He's still unwell.""Do you think I would be in the same space with you if it hadn't been for Lauren?" She folded her legs and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Landon Harper, you're a notorious charmer. Did your preference for women shift to our innocent Lauren because you're tired of the sexy ladies you dated?"At the mention of Lauren's name, a shiver coursed through Landon. He responded with a shaky voice, "Lyse, you know about Lauren and me?"Alyssa replied with a smirk, "You and her? You're confusing me now.""Lyse, look, I don't want to hide this from you any longer," Landon said. He took a deep breath and, wi
"Or perhaps, you think of Lauren as the least important Beckett daughter. Do you only deem her good enough as a mistress, not a wife?""Alyssa Taylor! How could you—" Landon snapped at her. This was the first time in his life that he had felt genuine anger toward her. It suddenly became clear to him why Jasper would frequently cough up blood—it must have been because of Alyssa."Enough. There's no point in arguing. I'm all for true love, but I refuse to watch Lauren suffer by your side," she concluded. Her eyes welled up with tears at the thought of Lauren, who had endured abuse at home.She pleaded, "Life has been harsh for Lauren. I don't want to see her endure more suffering. Landon, you come from a complicated world, which would be a burden for Lauren. Please think this over."…After taking Jasper to the hospital, Landon returned home, utterly drained.He considered the villa he shared with Lauren his home. He might have a mom and a sister, but his mom had been depressed e
"Shall we sleep?" Landon blurted it out without much thought, but he instantly regretted it.He sounded like a pervert whose only thought was to get it on. That wasn't what he had intended."I'm not sleepy," Lauren finally said softly. "I just wanted some quiet time.""Oh. I'll keep you company," he offered, gently caressing her nape. "I won't sleep if you're awake. If you find me bothersome, I'll sit beside you quietly. You'll need someone to get you drinks and food when you're thirsty or hungry, isn't that right?""What if I stay up all night?""I'll stay up with you.""Alright then. Go ahead and sleep," she softly urged him, still not looking up.Feeling dejected, he sighed heavily and said, "If you'd rather I leave, I will." With that, he made a move to get up.Lauren suddenly grabbed his arm and held it tightly as her breathing quickened."Lauren?" He was taken aback."Please don't go, Landon! Don't leave!" she pleaded, looking up with trembling lips and tear-streake
"Of course," Lauren answered."It's different from just liking me as a person," Landon said, clearing his throat. He explained in embarrassment, "It's … the kind of feelings that Jasper has for Alyssa."Her clear, bright eyes wavered. She toyed with the intricate button on his dark shirt and stammered, "I-I don't know."He silently sighed and smiled wryly at her. "Alright. Go sleep now.""But I like to be with you. I can't do anything right when you're not at home because I'm worried. I'll wait for you to come home. Time flies when I'm with you. Looking at you makes me happy," she mumbled, her eyes half-closed.His breath grew heavy, and his palms started sweating as he held her.She confessed, "One day, you came home late. I pretended to be asleep when you checked on me in the bedroom, but I had been awake all along."His chest tightened. That night, he and Angelina had gone out to get rid of two dissenters in Harper Group who had turned out to be Preston's men.He had always
Zoe was terrorized by Landon's wrath. She had witnessed him teaching Donna and Gary a lesson. He hadn't even spared Gary, who had been serving him for years. The punishment he had inflicted on Gary seemed almost fatal.All of this chaos was because of Lauren. Zoe couldn't fathom why Landon would go to such lengths for an idiot. In comparison, she felt that she had been reduced to a joke as his sister.After leaving the villa, she returned to the Harper Residence with a resentful scowl. Throughout the journey, she couldn't hold back her tears when she reminisced about how Landon had used to spoil her.Amidst her anger, Zoe made a resolute decision. No matter what, she was determined to come between Landon and Lauren. She would never accept Lauren as her sister-in-law."Zoe, you're finally home!" Penelope called out. She teared up after a long separation from her daughter and came out to hug Zoe. "My darling, I thought your flight had landed earlier. Why are you only home now? I wa
Jasper lay restrained on the bed, his body writhing violently as waves of agony crashed over him. A towel clenched between his teeth muffled his cries, though it could not silence the torment. Every inch of his skin felt as if it were being devoured by thousands of invisible ants—a relentless, gnawing pain brought on by withdrawal.He knew he could no longer rely on the medication. Time and again, the temptation clawed at him, urging him to surrender and take the easy way out. Relief was just a pill away. But Jasper's willpower, though battered, refused to shatter. Anne's words echoed in his mind, a guiding light in the darkness. She had always taught him to be a righteous man—one with a clear conscience. Curling into himself, Jasper shut his bloodshot eyes. He couldn't disappoint Anne. He couldn't let down those who believed in him. He had to resist the dark side. Outside the room, Xavier glanced at his wristwatch. Judging the timing to be right, he pushed the door open and l
"How about now? Is Ms. Altman at home?" Alyssa asked urgently."She isn't," Clark replied. "She drove out the back gate alone around 11:00 pm. Our security personnel stopped her then, but she said she was just going out for some fresh air because she had trouble sleeping. She promised she wouldn't be long, but it's strange—she hasn't returned even now."Alyssa's ears began to ring, her heart sinking like a stone.When she ended the call, her nightgown clung to her skin, drenched in cold sweat. Her trembling hand gripped the phone tightly.She thought of calling Jonah, but he was still searching for Julien in Mosgravia. He wouldn't be able to return in time. Silas wasn't home tonight; he was likely with Rose. Besides, he was more of an academic than a fighter—not someone who could help in a crisis. Getting him out of bed in the middle of the night couldn't possibly solve any of their problems. Axel had returned to his organization, leaving Cyrus as the only one accessible who mi
Amber's eyes reddened as she darted toward the trapdoor in The Millennium, tears streaming down her face.Remy had let her go. He actually spared her! Didn't this prove that he was Damien? That his true nature lingered, even if his memories of the past had been lost?Hope and excitement bubbled within her as she ran. She had to reach Alyssa immediately and share this evidence—this incredible news!Emerging from the trapdoor, Amber navigated the tangled paths among the weeds on the mountain behind The Millennium.Suddenly, she froze. Her breath hitched. Beams of white light shone from all directions, focusing on her. The cold, unyielding spotlights told her everything—she was surrounded, the target of an ambush. Amber's heart pounded in her chest. Cold sweat slicked her palms as her fingers clenched tightly around her dagger. The veins on the back of her hand throbbed with adrenaline.Six assassins in black emerged from the shadows, their flashlights cutting through the gl
Amber glared at Remy through her bloodshot eyes, thrusting her gleaming blade toward his chest. In her early days of being Jameson's follower, the first lesson drilled into her was how to kill quickly and efficiently. Refinement wasn't necessary—only results mattered. Yet, despite mastering the techniques, she had never put them into practice. Deep down, Amber feared the sight of blood and loathed the idea of taking a life.And now, of all people, it was Remy forcing her to cross that line.The blade's tip hovered mere inches from Remy's heart when hesitation gripped her. Axel's voice echoed in her mind, raw with emotion. "Amber, I keep feeling that Remy is my fifth brother, Damien. We miss him… We want him to come home!"Her pupils dilated. The blade wavered, its deadly intent dissipating.That single moment of doubt was all Remy needed. With a calm, calculated motion, he seized her wrist and twisted it sharply.Amber gasped in pain, her grip faltering as the blade clattered
The password to Jameson's room was Alyssa's birthday. Jameson had always believed himself to be a devoted man, taking pride in that notion. Yet, in Amber's eyes, his devotion was nothing more than a pathetic joke—a sentiment she couldn't help but detest.Taking a steadying breath, Amber began rummaging through the drawers and shelves with swift precision.Years of observation had taught her that Jameson had hidden several secret compartments in this room, places meant to conceal vital information. Unless Jameson or Carl disclosed their existence, even the police might not have uncovered them.After what felt like an eternity, sweat beading on her forehead, Amber discovered a hidden compartment beneath a floor sculpture.As she pried the brick loose, her breath hitched. Inside the compartment lay a waterproof plastic bag containing a document and a USB drive.Amber retrieved the document. Her heart raced as she realized its contents—a research report from Mosgravia's RC Biotech
Ever since getting together with Axel, Amber had lived each day in bliss. Yet, when Winston assured her that he truly accepted her and approved of her marriage to Axel, that bliss reached its peak. For so long, Amber had struggled with feelings of inferiority, never truly believing she deserved Axel's love. Deep down, she had resolved to step away if Winston disapproved or insisted Axel marry a woman from a reputable family—a match more fitting of his status.She wouldn't have hesitated to leave if it meant sparing Winston and Axel any conflict. Amber loved Axel wholeheartedly and was willing to sacrifice everything for him.But instead of rejection, she found warmth. The Taylor family embraced her as one of their own, showing her kindness and understanding rather than disdain for her past.She could never repay such compassion. "Winston… Thank you. Thank you…" Amber's tear-filled eyes glistened, their brightness undimmed despite all the darkness she had endured. Winston s
Amber stifled a laugh and teased, "Stop talking, Mr. Whitaker. You're going to sound like a broken record if you keep going." …After breakfast and a quick packing session, Axel departed from Heightsnew Villa. Amber spent her day helping the Taylors with various tasks. She assisted Mandy in organizing documents for Lovelace Group's projects, helped Lyla with cooking, and even joined Colene in feeding her horse. With Tatiana's due date approaching, Amber also pitched in for her shower preparations.Amber had always been a diligent person, but today, she seemed particularly intent on keeping herself busy. She was counting down the hours until nightfall. After dinner, the Taylors sat in the living room and chatted casually as they always did. The warm, familial atmosphere filled the space, and Amber joined in, her perceptive nature making her a seamless part of the group.When everyone retired to their rooms, Amber rose to help the helpers clear the table. "Amber." Startled
Axel and Amber had only spent half a month together before the former was called back to report for work. The night before his departure, they spent hours lost in each other, their passion unrelenting. Again and again, they exchanged kisses, their love pouring forth in an endless tide."Amber, three months… Just give me three more months." When their fervor finally waned, Axel held Amber close in his arms. They rested against the headboard, leaning into one another, too exhausted to move yet unwilling to let sleep claim them."Once I finish all the missions I've taken on, I'll hand in my resignation. After that, I'll spend all my time with you," Axel murmured, his voice steady with resolve. "We'll go wherever you want. If you want fun, I'll have fun with you. If you want chaos, I'll spend my life going crazy with you."Axel wasn't one for flowery words. He simply spoke from the heart. Right now, his heart only wanted Amber—forever.Amber nestled closer, her soft smile masking t
"Sir." Sheryl immediately stood and greeted Justin respectfully as he entered the room. "What are you doing here?" Justin's cold gaze swept over her as he strolled leisurely to the couch and sat down.Sheryl quickly explained, "I received a parcel for you from the administrative secretary half an hour ago. I thought it might be something important, something you wouldn't want too many people to handle. So, I waited for you to return and open it personally.""A parcel?" Justin frowned. Why would anyone send him a parcel to Beckett Group, of all places? How strange. Sheryl presented the parcel to him with both hands. He took it from her and then opened it right before her. After removing three layers of wrapping, each from outside and inside the box, the parcel turned out to contain only a plain white envelope. His expression darkened. It felt like someone was toying with him.Then, he looked down and opened the envelope, which contained a stack of photographs. Pinching a co