"How I wish I could touch the dress!""The Taylor family's prestige is the only thing that could bring Sharon out of retirement. Winston Taylor's social status must be exceptionally high. On the other hand, I doubt Sharon would even consider making a dress, even if Mrs. Beckett begged her."Jasper widened his eyes and turned around to stare at Alyssa in disbelief. She was smiling softly. He belatedly realized that Alyssa was Sharon, another one of her many identities after Alexa!His breathing quickened, and he felt a jolt of electricity. How could a woman perfect her talent across multiple industries? Alyssa seemed like a superhuman to him.Alyssa sensed his intense gaze and turned to him. She was taken aback by his reddened eyes."What's with that look? Are you sick?" she taunted him heartlessly."I never thought that you were … Sharon," he croaked, still staring keenly at her."Why are you that surprised? This isn't your first encounter with Sharon," she said with a chuckle
"Are you talking about Lyla Nelson, Winston Taylor's third wife and a has-been-actress? Why would Sharon design a dress for her?""Amazing! I am absolutely smitten with the black and red dress!""Why can't Lyla Nelson have Sharon design her dress? She was once an award-winning actress under TS Network. My parents are still her fans!""I'm a huge fan of hers too. Oops, I just revealed my age.""She was famous many years ago. She became Winston Taylor's mistress and gave birth to his child before marrying him. A woman like her doesn't deserve Sharon's attention.""This is a case of sour grapes. Any woman who bears a child for Winston Taylor gets millions in return. I would have gladly become his fifth wife and given birth to an entire football team." This particular comment received a thousand likes. It seemed like society's morals were declining, with money taking precedence over love."Lyla might be a third wife, but she's a winner! Just look at Sophia Beckett. Nobody attended
"Mom, calm down." Betty approached Sophia shakily. She took a seat beside Sophia and continued, "I hate seeing you so upset. How can I help?""If you want to help, how about getting rid of Lyla Nelson for me? Can you do that?" Sophia gritted her teeth."I—" Betty was at a loss for words."I thought Lyla married Winston because she had no other choice and that she would be a worthless mistress forever. She's a loser who bore a useless daughter for him," Sophia remarked bitterly.Betty thought that Sophia's remark backfired on herself, for Sophia had given birth to two daughters."I never thought that Winston loved her so much as to throw her a huge birthday party and even hire Sharon to design a dress! How could Lyla enjoy a more glamorous life than me?" Sophia's face reddened, and she fought back tears. The more glamorous Lyla's life became despite starting off as a mistress, the more Sophia felt like a joke as Javier's only wife."Mom, anger won't solve anything. We should f
A thunderous applause broke out in the hall. One guest commented, "Mr. Taylor might not have bought a property or jewelry for his wife, but he generously donated five million dollars to her charity foundation. That shows how much he cares about her.""Mr. Taylor's gift is creative and meaningful, unlike the other husbands who always buy their wives the same gifts. "This not only elevates Lyla's stature but also builds a positive image for the Taylor family. It's a win-win solution."Newton, Victor, and Jonah were seated together at the same table just below the stage.Victor grumbled under his breath, "What's that guy using to maintain his youthful appearance?" He turned to Jonah and inquired, "Jonah, what's your dad's skincare like? He's aging backward. Just tell me."Jonah offered a humble smile. "He probably uses some makeup."Victor and Winston had been silently competing against each other for decades."Oh, where did he hire his makeup artist from? That's a pretty natu
Josh leisurely sipped his red wine, his expression dripping with disdain. He commented, "Jimmy has always been a smart aleck. He doesn't understand that trying too hard will backfire on him."While he might have pleased Alyssa with that gift, little does he know he's pissed Dad off. Dad still holds the power."David grinned and added, "Well, let Jimmy grovel at the Taylors' feet and watch everything fall apart around him!"As expected, Victor's expression soured. He clenched his jaw and shot a piercing look at Jameson. He was shocked to see Lily there with Jameson.The emcee brought Jameson's gift onto the stage, and everyone watched on with interest. Lyla looked at Winston with hesitation. Winston put his arm around her waist and said, "He put in time and effort for this gift. Let's take a look."Winston's expression changed when he saw the gift, and his gaze silently turned to Jameson. The other guests exclaimed and praised the gift with an intensity that rivaled their surpris
Alyssa couldn't help but sit up straight, her heart pounding as she fixed her gaze on the stage.Miley instantly picked up on the change in Alyssa's behavior as they were seated next to each other. The look in her eyes deepened.All eyes in the room shifted from Jameson to the stage.Underneath the stage, Newton gleefully patted Jonah and Victor, who were seated beside him. "Heh heh! It's time for my grandson's gift!"Newton was confident that Jasper wouldn't let Jameson steal the limelight with an inferior gift. "By the way, Victor, judging from your son's behavior … Is he interested in Alice?" Newton wondered curiously with an arched brow."Alice?""Ah, sorry. It's Alyssa's nickname. I'm used to calling her that," Newton explained. He hadn't shaken off the habit.Victor pursed his lips with an unreadable expression on his face. He remarked, "Jimmy, my fourth son, has been living abroad without my supervision for a long time. I have no idea what's on his mind.""Don't you th
Winston smirked at Jasper's thick-skinned behavior."I haven't prepared anything extravagant, but I believe it's the thought behind a gift that truly matters. I hope Madam Lyla likes it," Jasper humbly remarked.Alyssa rested her chin on her hand and raised an inquisitive eyebrow at him. It was rare for him to show such a friendly side to anyone. He was indeed a good actor."Since Mr. Beckett has put thought into the gift, let's see what it is," Winston replied somewhat reluctantly. Lyla smiled helplessly at Winston's expression. He clearly held some disdain for Jasper.Jameson found Winston's expression rather comical and believed that Jasper could never make amends with the Taylor family after offending them with his poor treatment of Alyssa.When Lyla and Winston unveiled the gift, they discovered a golden tiara adorned with diamonds inside a glass box.Lyla's heart raced, and tears welled up in her eyes."Lyla, what's the matter?" Winston gently asked, noticing her emotional
It was impossible not to be moved by Jasper's efforts.Winston was incredibly touched by Jasper's explanation, and he no longer treated Jasper with hostility. "Jasper, thank you. I can see your effort and sincerity in the gift. You must have gone through a lot of trouble for this.""Mr. Taylor, you're most welcome," Jasper replied with calm, but his heart was drumming in joy as he clenched his fists. Winston had finally called him by his first name!He felt as though he had finally gained the approval of an in-law after years of taunting for his relationship with Alyssa. He might even lose sleep over this milestone.In contrast, Jameson wrestled with anger when he witnessed Jasper's triumph and Winston's praise. He couldn't believe he had lost to Jasper in this round, despite all his careful planning. It was a bitter defeat.With a smile, Jasper announced, "I have another gift for Madam Lyla. It's a joint gesture from me and my grandfather. On behalf of Beckett Group, we will cont
Jasper strode out of the room and hurried down the stairs, his pace so brisk that Xavier had to jog to keep up. As Jasper reached the living room, he spotted Justin sitting upright in his wheelchair, alone. Their eyes locked when Jasper was just a few steps away.Hostility flickered between their gazes.Curling his lips upward into a slight smile, Justin asked, "Jasper, heading out at this hour?"Xavier gritted his teeth, loathing the self-righteous air Justin exuded, as if he always held the upper hand. The sight made him want to charge forward and knock Justin clean off his wheelchair."It's late. Why aren't you in bed?" Jasper asked coldly, his tone as sharp as his glare. "It seems that broken body of yours is still holding up.""Jasper, you seem to be in a rush. Did something happen? Do you need my help?" Justin maintained the smile on his face, disregarding Jasper's sarcastic remark. "It's none of your business."Without another word, Jasper swept past him. Justin's
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