"Mr. Josh, I also heard that Ms. Alyssa had found Ms. Caldwell insulting Ms. Tatiana," Morgan said worriedly. "I don't think Ms. Alyssa plans to let this go lightly, sir. Things might escalate if you don't show up right now."Josh's expression was dark as he tugged at his tie. "Alright then."…Alyssa had wanted to deliver Brie to justice, but after Tatiana's persistent pleas not to make a bigger scene and take care of it in private instead, Alyssa had decided to do just that.They were in one of the empty halls right now, with two burly bodyguards flanking Brie. Under pressure, Brie's obnoxious demeanor from earlier had disappeared entirely.Alyssa was lounging on the couch with Tatiana, her legs folded together. Beside them, Sean stood with a fruit plate in hand.Appearing relaxed, Alyssa slowly fed a piece of cantaloupe to Tatiana. She asked, "Sean told me that this woman had insulted you before? And that she had made some terrible insinuations, too."Brie began quivering,
The smile on Josh's face was tinged with frost. "I've only seen this woman once in my life and have no reason to come to her defense. Why would you wish to settle her issues with me?""M-Mr. Josh … " Brie stammered, her face pasty, as she gazed at Josh. She had pleased him so thoroughly in bed a few days ago, yet here he was abandoning her so easily!"Oh? In that case …" Alyssa's eyes narrowed into sly crescents. "You wouldn't mind if I took Ms. Caldwell out to the main hall for a stroll, would you? To let everyone, and especially Madam Clarissa, get to know her?"Brie was scared out of her wits by now.Meanwhile, Josh paled instantly. His gaze grew hostile. "What is your intention here, Ms. Alyssa?""Nothing much, really." Alyssa leaned against the couch, her gaze just as hostile. "One should always refer to the owner before reprimanding their mutt. I only hope the owner of this one knows when to reprimand them themselves. I'm only a young woman, after all. It would be terrib
"But do hurry. The celebration is about to begin."The door slammed shut behind Alyssa and the others.Ten minutes later, Josh and Morgan walked out of the hall. The former's watch was still stained with blood. A woman's wails and sobs of pain could be heard in the hall he had just left."Clean the mess up," Josh instructed Morgan."Yes, sir!""Alyssa Taylor really is something." Josh emanated a frosty air as he cracked his knuckles. "It's been a long time since I've met someone who dared challenge me. If she wants to play, I'll play along with her."…Alyssa felt incredibly satisfied after getting revenge for Tatiana. But the latter still felt uncomfortable.Knowing this, Alyssa gave her and Sean some alone time. The two went to the balcony to freshen up after the whole ordeal.Sean took off his coat and wrapped it around Tatiana's shoulders, since she was quivering in the cold. "Here. The wind is stronger here.""Did you … tell my sister about the other night when Brie me
Alyssa hummed a tune and headed for the event hall, knowing that Brie was done for good. That put her in a great mood.Given her understanding of Josh—no, her understanding of men in general—their egos often got the better of them. Now that Brie had disgraced Josh, she had landed herself in hot water.Alyssa believed Brie deserved everything that had happened for bullying Tatiana."Lyse." Suddenly, she heard a low and affectionate voice calling out from behind. Her heart skipped a beat, and she clenched her fists. No other man could make her flustered except for Jasper, the man whom she loved and suffered for.She inhaled deeply and calmed herself before turning around coldly. He stood a few steps away with an exquisite gift box in his hand. He marched up to her with a regal air about him."I'm here," he said to her tenderly. Alyssa replied flatly, "Okay."He pursed his lips and looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. I wanted to come early and lend you a hand, but I still … got late.
"I'll always speak the truth, even if it means taking a punch. You have an amazing body," Jasper reiterated with sincerity.He was probably the most classy playboy ever, flirting around with a straight face."Shut up! Stop talking!" Alyssa snapped at him. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes blazed with anger. "Stay away from me, or I'll castrate you!""That's fine. I'm not interested in having kids anyway. It's not like I have a crown to pass down," he replied, gazing at her in a daze.Defying her, he took a step closer. They could pick up each other's scent at that distance. He confessed, "I'm only interested in you, Lyse. Telling me to stay away from you is the same as killing me.""Well, consider yourself dead, then! Bye!" She turned and stomped away indignantly with red cheeks.She knew Jasper wasn't to blame for the accident just now, but he shouldn't have commented on her body in the first place.It was no surprise that Jasper was friends with Landon; birds of a feathe
"Miley," Jasper calmly greeted her, abruptly inserting himself into their conversation.Miley was taken aback as she sized up the handsome man before her. Her expression wavered, and she exclaimed, "Are you Mr. Beckett, the president of Beckett Group?""It's just Jasper. We can keep it casual," Jasper introduced himself and politely extended his right hand for a handshake. His stunning eyes radiated warmth and joy.He appeared to be a gracious and honest man, quite unlike the rumors that painted him as ruthless and deceptive.Miley was about to shake hands with Jasper out of courtesy when Alyssa held her back. Alyssa glowered at Jasper and warned him, "You'd better not think of currying favor with my sister and earning brownie points. I can see through your plan."He flashed a bitter smile and awkwardly retracted his hand.Miley was confused by Alyssa's brash attitude. She had no idea that Alyssa and Jasper were once married for three years.Looking flustered, Alyssa pressed h
Miley's unexpected return was a delightful surprise for the Taylors. Mandy, Miley's mother, appeared on the verge of tears, her eyes glistening with joy. However, she maintained her usual composed demeanor, a skill she had perfected over the years. It had been a long time since anyone had witnessed her shed a tear.On the other hand, Lyla and Colene couldn't contain their emotions, and they wept as they embraced Miley. To an outsider, it might seem as if Mandy was Miley's stepmother."Are you done yet?" Winston wondered with a disgruntled look. "It's my turn!"Everyone was rendered speechless. Lyla and Colene had no choice but to let go of Miley.Winston eagerly enveloped Miley in a heartfelt hug, sobbing even louder than his wives. "Oh, my dear daughter! I've missed you so much! I thought you had forgotten all about me after marrying Jeremy. I've raised a little rebel, it seems!"Again, everyone was dumbfounded by Winston's antics. Alyssa's lips twitched as she froze on the s
Meanwhile, Rose was waiting at the red light at an intersection not far away from KS World Hotel. She was taking a call with her Bluetooth earpiece in her pink Ferrari.She barked, "Send me the blueprint for the Bastian Fashion Week walkway! If the person in charge on their end gives us trouble again, tell them that Rose Emerson will never work with them!"Not only that, but I'll also make things difficult for them if they ever plan to host a fashion show at Solana City."When the light turned green, Rose stepped hard on the accelerator out of anger. The Ferrari dashed across the road like a streak of pink lightning.At the same time, a sleek black Mercedes-Benz E-Class approached from the opposite direction. One of the vehicles attempted a left turn, while the other tried to make a right turn at high speed."Oh, crap!" Rose cussed. She had been so distracted with her call that she hadn't noticed the black Mercedes-Benz. As they hurtled toward each other, she slammed the brakes
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