In an instant, Liana felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her face turned pale. Rosaline was also startled, and her entire body froze. "Mom! W-What's going on?!" Liana stuttered. "Didn't you sell this necklace? Why is it in the auction?" "I did sell it! This is impossible!" Rosaline murmured in astonishment. "What do we do now? Jasper is sitting right there. How do you think he'll feel seeing the gift he gave me being put up for auction? He'll definitely be mad at me!" Liana was filled with resentment and almost on the verge of tears. "It's alright! There can't be only one of these necklaces in the world. Maybe it's an exact replica …" "But there isn't another! The auctioneer just introduced it. It's the same one Jasper gave me! No explanation will fool him!" Both of them racked their brains to figure things out. Liana was thinking about her explanation to Jasper. While Rosaline was wondering why the necklace she sold was auctioned under the name of the KS Gro
In the past, Alyssa was smart yet innocent to the ways of the world, smooth and cunning but still retained her naivety. She was always cherished by the Taylor family and never bothered to resort to such schemes. However, after marrying into the Beckett family and leaving Jasper, her mind was corrupted with conspiracies and schemes. She remembered when the "Crimson Heart" necklace was brought on stage and how broken Jasper looked. At that moment, she felt like she had gone too far. In reality, she could have simply ignored the necklace. There was no need to humiliate Jasper at the auction to this extent. But she couldn't let it go. It wasn't that she was resentful because of the divorce from Jasper. She had come to terms with the fact that the love she had pursued for thirteen years was dead. Her unwillingness stemmed from Jasper's foolishness. Why couldn't he see the truth about the person he loved? She silently swore she would never meddle in their relationship again. Alys
Alyssa felt her breathing stopped. The bracelet was a gift from Newton, and Liana destroyed it. In an instant, fury surged throughout her veins. She had the urge to break every bone in Liana's body. "Liana Gardner!" Alyssa shrieked, her eyes red with anger. Liana was frightened but regained her composure. "So what if I broke your bracelet? Only the two of us are here. I can say you hurt me. Who do you think Jasper will believe?" Liana smiled wickedly. She picked up a piece of the broken bracelet. Then, she extended her delicate wrist. Alyssa realized what was happening. She wanted to stop her. But it was too late. Liana yelped, and Alyssa watched as she slit her wrist with the broken bracelet. Perhaps it was her first time inflicting a wound, so she was able to avoid any major arteries. But the cut was deep. Blood gushed out of her wound in an instant. Even Liana was scared by her actions. But she knew if she were to play the victim, she had to commit to her role fully.
Sophia put on an anxious act. She asked, "What happened to your hand, Liana? Tell me!" "Yes, Liana, don't be afraid to tell us! We will never let anyone bully you!" Betty chimed, acting all fair and just."I … I ran into Ms. White in the bathroom ..."In Jasper's arms, Liana was weak and gasping for breath. However, her gaze toward Alyssa was laced with hatred. "I know Ms. White doesn't like me, so I took the initiative to say hello to her. I was hoping I could clear up any previous misgivings. But she didn't appreciate the gesture at all. And before I knew it, we were fighting. "Alyssa simply crossed her arms. She tilted her head and smiled. When Jasper realized she was smiling, he grew frustrated. "When I was about to leave, she grabbed me and refused to let me go. In a moment of impatience, I jerked my hand away and tore off her bracelet. It fell to the ground and shattered. Ms. White was very angry because the bracelet was broken, no matter how much I apologized, it was u
Jasper was stunned. His heart trembled as he looked at his ex-wife in disbelief. She was gentle and kind when she was by his side. But now, she was so unruly to the point of hurting others. "Is it true, Alice?" Jasper's throat felt tight, and he cast a deep gaze at her. Raising her eyebrows, Alyssa's lips parted in a sinister smile. The sight made Landon clutch his chest. He wondered how a wicked woman could look so stunning. "Jasper ... What do you mean?" Jasper repeatedly asked Alyssa for confirmation, so Liana was afraid of him being suspicious of her. She began to cry and whine, "Don't you—don't you believe me? Am I so untrustworthy to you?" She didn't know why Alice would admit it. But it didn't matter as long it helped Liana achieve her goal. It wasn't her problem that Alice was stupid enough to admit it. "Jasper, take a look at the evil woman you married! She was just a nick away from cutting Liana's artery. She was out for my daughter's life!" Taking advantage of
Alyssa wasn't someone to be trifled with. "Listen up, everyone. From now on, Liana and I are enemies. If I misspoke, I will end up like this bracelet!" Alyssa clenched her teeth. Then, she slowly opened her left palm. Jasper's breath was caught in his throat at the sight of her blood-covered palm. The pieces of the bracelet were also stained with blood. She loved that bracelet, which was why she kept holding it even though it was broken. She even hurt her hand without noticing it. Jasper felt emotions overwhelm him. His gaze was unreadable as he stared at Alyssa's face, which was full of resentment. His stone heart began to crack. "Your hands are bleeding, Ms. White!" Landon exclaimed. He frantically rummaged through all the pockets on his body, looking for a handkerchief, a tissue, or whatever he could find to bandage the wound. However, he couldn't find anything. Jasper could feel a handkerchief in his chest pocket. He closed his eyes as his hands balled into fists. How
Alyssa remained unfazed by Sophia's hypocritical behavior. She had divulged that information to tell Mandy that Alyssa was not only used but also a gold digger from a rural village. Rosaline and Liana were secretly delighted.The Taylors and the Becketts were at odds. Jonah was Winston's eldest son and held a prestigious status. There was no woman out of his reach. How could he possibly want a woman the Becketts had abandoned? It was funny to even think about it.Jasper frowned in displeasure. "That's personal. You have no right to discuss it.""Jasper, it may be personal, but it concerns the Becketts and the Taylors. I'm just trying to prevent any potential shock when people find out that your ex-wife is here. I'm doing this for everyone's sake!" Sophia continued to fuss. "Does it concern both families? Didn't Ms. White divorce Mr. Beckett? Divorce means no ties anymore. So why do you think that Ms. White is affecting your family?" Mandy asked with a sneer. "Did she sign a co
"Wait."For some reason, the conversation irritated Jasper. Sternly, he asked, "Ms. White, don't you owe Liana an apology?"Landon sighed helplessly, resisting the urge to stuff his socks into Jasper's mouth.A dull pain throbbed in Alyssa's heart. She turned around to cast him a blank stare. Her disappointed gaze pierced Jasper's soul. "She didn't do it! Alice didn't do it!" Just at that moment, a sweet, gentle voice cut through the air. It arrived unannounced, like lightning on a clear day, foiling the plot that had been carefully planted. When Alyssa turned her gaze toward the source of the voice, there was a glimmer in her eyes."Lauren!"A girl clad in a simple white dress was hurrying toward them. She was sporting a ridiculous crown of dense curls, which was Betty's doing. Lauren had always been Betty's imaginary enemy in their family. Betty envied her little sister's beauty. She always looked for new ways to bully her. Whenever they appeared in public, she would
The board members were stunned into silence. One by one, they rose from their seats, greeting Newton respectfully. At Beckett Group, Newton's presence was akin to that of a king. Though he had long stepped away from the corporation's daily affairs, his influence remained unparalleled.He was not only an honorary board member of Beckett Group but also held similar titles in other renowned corporations. In the corporate world, Newton was nothing short of a legend.His unexpected arrival at the board meeting sent shockwaves through the room. The first words out of his mouth—an objection to the proposed motion—made it clear where his loyalties lay—with Jasper."Dad, what are you doing here?" Javier exclaimed, his voice laced with surprise as he rushed forward to steady Newton, who was visibly trembling.Justin narrowed his eyes as he stood up slowly. He was the last to rise to his feet. A flicker of something sinister danced in his gaze, an abyss of calculated intent hidden behind an
"You've been freed?" Justin asked, his voice distant."Sir, I'm really sorry for troubling you. You even had to make arrangements for me," Sheryl said apologetically. "I just made use of my connections. It's nothing. Besides, I figured they'd summon you—Jasper did get his medications from you, after all."Sheryl, still shaken from earlier, lowered her gaze. "Is that cop, Rio Olson, one of us? He seemed eager to arrest Jasper, so I thought you might have recruited him. But during the interrogation, he was relentless. He wouldn't go easy on me at all.""He is one of Mr. Barrett's men. That's enough for now."Sheryl mulled over it for a moment. Then, she lowered her voice and said, "Sir, Jasper can only be charged for drug use. As a first-time offender, it's not enough to keep him behind bars. I suspect he'll be bailed out by the day after tomorrow."Justin chuckled softly. "So?" "It's a shame we couldn't take him down for good," Sheryl said through gritted teeth."Jasper has Gr
With years of experience as a criminal investigator and a naturally sharp mind, Cyrus' instincts flared the moment he heard Rio's question.Gabe slammed the table, his voice a thunderclap of rage. "Rio Olson! What nonsense are you spouting? Have I been too lenient with you? Dr. Gillis is a doctor, and I'm a police chief. How would I know her? Stop letting your imagination run wild!"Gabe's face flushed crimson as he glared at Rio.Unmoved, Rio stared back, confusion etched on his face. "Then why are you stopping me from investigating Sheryl by the book? I don't get it."Jasper's test results were positive, and we found drugs hidden in his office. That alone suggests drug abuse. To secure a conviction, we need to trace his supplier. Otherwise, this case will collapse in court."Let's not forget—Jasper's attorney is Steven Lynch, a top-tier ex-judge who's handled multiple high-profile cases."From his position outside the office, Cyrus could only catch fragments of the conversation
"Now that we're on this topic, there's something I need to tell all of you," Alyssa said, her expression grim. Her tone turned cold as she continued, "I highly suspect that Sheryl is actually Liana Gardner."Her words left the Taylor brothers stunned."I don't have concrete evidence—no confession, no DNA proof. But when I called her 'Liana' at that run-down hospital, she turned around. Her reaction was odd, to say the least. Beyond that, her mannerisms, habits, and private behavior are eerily similar to Liana's."Alyssa smiled confidently. "And most importantly, I trust my instincts.""No wonder!" Silas suddenly shot to his feet, his eyes wide. "When I first saw her at the hospital, when she brushed past me, I felt this strange sense of familiarity. So, she's Liana? That means my gut feeling was right all along!"Jonah's expression grew serious. "If that's true, Jasper is in even greater danger. Liana's return—under a new identity, working alongside Justin no less—means she's play
Silence filled Alyssa's office. Since the incident that led to Jonah and Julien's heartbreaking breakup, everyone had avoided mentioning Julien, even though the sorrow of it lingered like a heavy shadow.Alyssa had suggested the second option because she believed Julien might be the key to turning the tide in their favor. But where was Julien now?After the fallout, he had disfigured himself, consumed by hatred toward Jonah, and left without hesitation. Would he return? Could they even find him?"Let's try to think of something else," Cyrus said, shaking his head dejectedly. He understood Jonah's situation all too well. "I'll go look for him." Jonah closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, they glistened with unshed tears. The redness in his gaze betrayed his heartbreak. "Some of my former subordinates are still in Mosgravia. I'll contact them for help. I'll find Julien, even if it means sacrificing sleep and meals. No matter what it takes, I'll bring him back."Silas
Alyssa couldn't bring herself to go home, so she stayed at her office. Unease gnawed at her as long as Jasper's situation remained unresolved. Everything else seemed insignificant in comparison.When Cyrus updated her, a troubling realization struck—something was off about the witness, Sebastian Bender. As soon as Jonah, Silas, and Cyrus heard about Jasper's predicament, they agreed to travel overnight and meet Alyssa at the KS Group office.Worried that Alyssa and Sean might overexert themselves, the three brothers brought food to lighten the tense atmosphere with a touch of familial warmth."Sean, Taty asked me to bring this for you," Silas said, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "She made this soup herself and insisted you finish every last drop."A playful smirk tugged at his lips. "I checked the ingredients. They're all... nutritious for men."Sean's face flushed crimson as he pressed his lips together. Guilt flickered in his eyes. "She should be resting. She's due to give b
That night, Sheryl was brought into an interrogation room adjacent to Jasper's for questioning. Rio was Gabe's subordinate, but he wasn't privy to the full details of the situation. All he knew was that completing this task could give him an edge over his rival, Cyrus, and secure his standing within Gabe's ranks.To Rio, Cyrus was nothing more than a privileged man from a prestigious family, competing unfairly with those less fortunate. Rio was determined to prove himself superior, showing Cyrus how he dealt with Jasper, his future brother-in-law, and forcing him to admit defeat.Fearless in the face of wealth and authority, Rio boldly took on the president of Beckett Group, Jasper. He believed such audacity would earn him public admiration and a sterling reputation.However, Rio never considered the possibility that Sheryl might have her own stakes in this matter. To him, she was just another suspect."Mr. Beckett claims you provided him with the drugs," Rio began, his tone ster
The complexity of Jasper's case far exceeded Rio's expectations. There were so many underlying factors! "Firstly, I didn't know this was a narcotic, Chief Olson," Jasper explained calmly. "As you mentioned, this is a new drug that's only emerged in Solana City over the past two months. Most people haven't encountered it yet. Even someone as informed as you likely just started learning about it. How could I have known?"Secondly, I wouldn't have taken it if I'd known it was a narcotic. I'm dealing with health issues right now. Taking drugs would only harm me further. Why would I jeopardize my own life? Why would I not want to live a long life?"Jasper's posture was upright, exuding an air of sternness reminiscent of a disciplined soldier. His righteous demeanor made it hard to believe he was a man struggling with drug addiction. Who could look at him and think otherwise?While Rio mulled over the situation, Steven interjected with a serious tone. "Chief Olson, I strongly suggest qu
"Mr. Beckett's blood sample contained methamphetamine…" Rio's eyes widened in shock. He knew this substance all too well—it was a component found in crystal meth.Sebastian hesitated, then lowered his voice. "Also, if I'm not mistaken, Mr. Beckett was hospitalized due to severe withdrawal symptoms. He didn't take his drugs on time, and his body couldn't handle it. Would this count as evidence?""Dr. Bender, thank you for the crucial information you've provided. We greatly appreciate your assistance in this case!" Rio shook Sebastian's hand vigorously, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.Meanwhile, just around the corner, Cyrus stood with his back against the wall. He had heard every single word of their exchange. His chest burned with rage as he clenched his teeth. Pulling out his phone, he quickly texted Alyssa. "Lyse, the situation has changed. I can't join the investigation, but you must save Jasper this time."…An hour later, Rio strode back into the interrogati