Landon hurried to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning after coaxing Lauren to sleep, where he soon joined Becketts and Taylors.Unable to take it anymore, Newton had retired to a VIP ward to rest with Javier's help."Jonah, I just interrogated that son of a bitch."Jonah had gone to the end of the hallway to answer a call from Cyrus. "I've been in this line of work for so long. I could instantly tell he's hiding something from us! But he just won't crack!" Cyrus exclaimed."What did that asshole tell you?" Jonah asked solemnly."He said he attacked Madam Lyla because he used to be her top fan. He's harbored anger toward her ever since she quit the industry, feeling like she betrayed him. "Can you imagine that bullshit? Madam Lyla was the actress of the century back then! Who does he think he is to be able to bag someone like her?" Cyrus yelled, venting out a whole night's worth of anger to his brother.Jonah frowned. "Get to the point.""Sorry, Jonah. I got too carr
The Beckett family remained gathered outside the surgery room until 9:00 am the next morning. Javier and Newton stared fixedly at the door, with the former helping the latter stand.Sophia had used the excuse that she was tired to return home to rest. Newton despised her, and she didn’t give a damn about Jasper. So there was no point faking her concern any longer."Why isn't Lyse out yet? It's been so long." Winston gazed at the surgery room, feeling uneasy."Brain surgery isn't a small feat. Some take entire days to complete." Jonah consoled his father, patting his back. "Don't worry. Lyse is stronger and more capable than you think. This surgery will definitely be a success.""I'm not worried about that. I'm just concerned that Alyssa won’t be able to handle staying up for an entire night without rest. "Isn't she tired? Did she have time to eat a bite or drink some water?"If Jonah hadn’t stopped Winston, he would have barged into the room to check on Alyssa himself.Jona
"Jasper has … always been really nice to me since I was a kid. He looked after me a lot, and so, he's the most important person to me right now … " Zoe wiped her tears, shoulders quaking as she sobbed. "After hearing that he got hurt last night, I was so worried I didn't sleep a wink. "I wanted to come over first thing last night, but Landon wouldn't let me. He was worried I would cause more trouble for you."I'm so sorry, I should have come over earlier. That way I might still have been able to help out some … ""Poor thing. We see your efforts, dear girl, " Javier said with a sigh, approval apparent in his eyes. "I'm really grateful that you still care about my son. I'm so glad you two have been friends since young.""We still have a close bond now, too, not just when we were kids." Zoe blushed shyly, saying, "I'll be here as long as Jasper needs me."There was no doubt as to what she was implying.Landon's expression turned ugly. Zoe's outright confession and attitude t
Zoe's heart dropped into her stomach. Face flushed, she hurriedly explained, "I don't mean anything untoward, Grandpa Newton, nor do I want to cause anymore trouble for you guys … I'm just trying to do what I can to help!"I may not be the most capable, but at least I never injured Jasper! I didn't hurt him so bad that he ended up suffering on a cold surgical table!""Enough, Zoe!" Landon cried, walking over to stop her.Newton's expression grew cold. He asked sharply, "Are you blaming Alyssa? Do you think she was the one who did this to my grandson?""I … I … " Zoe stammered.Of course she did! Of course, it was Alyssa's fault! But Zoe couldn't say that out loud. Newton was clearly biased towards Alyssa.Just then, the sound of doors opening rang through the hallway.Everyone turned to see the surgical room doors open.Winston and Jonah leapt from their seats while everyone else hurried over to the door.Two medical personnel exited first, followed by slow, heavy steps.A
Zoe gasped and took a step back as she watched Alyssa approach with a cold determination.Despite wearing heels, Zoe was still shorter than Alyssa. However, the height wasn't the problem. Alyssa had outshined Zoe in terms of her inner qualities and her intimidating air. Zoe was reduced to nothing In front of Alyssa."W-What are you doing?" Zoe gasped. She turned white."Nothing much. I just want to clear your doubts," Alyssa replied with a calm smile and took off her surgeon cap. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders in a sassy way.She announced, "Your dear Jasper is out of critical condition. You don't have to pray for him anymore."Then, she whispered into Zoe's ear, "You should just ask for my help instead of praying. Since he got hurt because of me, I'll treat him till he's recovered. So, please don't waste your time worrying for him."Zoe was trembling in rage at Alyssa's provocation. It seemed that Alyssa had overheard what she said in the corridor.Just as she was th
"Your daughter is none other than the renowned genius doctor—Dr. White!"The revelation left everyone in a state of shock.Alyssa Taylor, in addition to her remarkable skills as a manager at KS World Hotel and a genius designer, was now unveiled as a brilliant doctor. She was nothing short of a superhuman.Newton and Javier looked shell-shocked. They couldn't believe what they had just heard. People of their social standing were well aware of Dr. White's formidable reputation, as she was highly regarded for her surgical expertise. Receiving treatment from Dr. White was a great honor for anyone.Despite her widespread acclaim, Dr. White was a mysterious figure who refused to show her face or engage in interviews. Only a select few, like Jonah and Abel, had been privy to her true identity.The staggering revelation left Javier gaping in astonishment. Never had he imagined that the young woman who had lived under his roof for three years possessed such a multitude of talents.Feel
It was not unusual for patients who underwent major surgeries to be in a coma for ten days. However, Jasper had a good physique thanks to his military background. He woke up on day four."Mr. Beckett! Mr. Beckett! Mr. Beckett!"Jasper felt increasingly irritated as someone persistently called out to him. He struggled to open his eyes. As his vision gradually cleared, he saw Xavier standing before him, appearing disheveled and visibly thinner.Xavier was agitatedly spamming the emergency button by the bedside. "Mr. Beckett is awake! He's awake!""Anyone would wake up if you keep bothering them like this," grumbled Jasper, his ears ringing and his mind muddled. "Where ... am I?""The hospital, of course! Don't you know you've undergone a life-and-death situation?" Xavier informed him. Tears welled up as he recalled the misfortune that befell Jasper."Oh … Lyse!" The first thing Jasper thought about after waking up was Alyssa's safety. The last scene in his memory was of the attac
Jasper rolled out of his bed and rushed over to Alyssa."You—" she began. He grasped her wrist and spun her around dizzyingly into a hug. She bumped her head against his chest."Lyse, I'm so glad you're safe," Jasper mumbled repeatedly and rested his chin on her shoulder. He seemed to care more about her than himself even when he was injured.Alyssa refrained from touching Jasper. She protested, "You're still injured. Don't move around. Go back to your bed and rest now.""No," he stubbornly refused, tightening his arms around her.Widening her eyes, she sensed his fast-beating heart. Why? His body was warm and tense, his trembling suggesting something was wrong."Jasper, you're not quite yourself now. Please let go of me. You should—Mmph—" She was cut off when Jasper sealed her lips with a kiss. His heart raced, and his breathing was ragged.He inched closer to her while she strumbled backward until her back was pressed against the wall. Having nowhere to escape to, she was subj
This time, the injection did not bring the excruciating pain that once made Amber wish for death. Her chapped lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she gazed deeply into Remy's eyes. He, too, looked at her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Between them, no words were needed."Damien… Thank you…" Though her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words sank deep into Remy's heart. For once, he did not object to being called Damien.The truth was, ever since Amber had been taken, an unbearable pressure had settled over him, making each breath feel like a punishment—every day since had been plagued by self-reproach and regret.If he hadn't stopped her that night and let her go sooner, could she have avoided Sheryl? Could she have been spared the torture and humiliation?"You should know that those who enter this place never leave. Most don't even make it out alive."Remy's gaze was unwavering. Taking advantage of the surveillance blind spot, he placed his
"Mr. Lexington," the doctor greeted respectfully, lowering his head slightly. Everyone at the base knew who Sheryl and Remy were. They were the ones in charge, the decision-makers. So, everyone obeyed their orders without question. To the staff unaware of the facility's true purpose, Sheryl and Remy stood at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. Unbeknownst to them, someone more powerful lurked in the shadows."How has she been these past few days?" Remy asked, his expression unreadable."She's had some adverse reactions, but there are no signs of organ failure yet. Honestly, I'm surprised. She looks frail, but her body is incredibly resilient—stronger than some men, even."The doctor scoffed. "But I'm not sure if she'll make it past her fourth injection today. Last month, four test subjects didn't survive beyond that point. Their bodies have already been sent to the incinerator." Remy's jaw tensed. His voice was husky as he said, "As I've instructed, this woman must be kept alive.
Xavier seethed as he took in the insincere smile on Justin's face. Deep down, he was cursing him with every profanity imaginable. "Whatever makes you happy."Ignoring Justin's dark gaze, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead as he strode past him.Out of nowhere, Justin chuckled and asked, "Did you really think you had people on your side during the board meeting?"Jasper halted, his eyes narrowing. "Grandpa tried his best to shield you, but his health is failing by the day. How much longer do you think an old man can protect you?"Lowering his gaze, Justin idly adjusted the ruby cufflinks on his sleeves. His voice was casual yet cutting. "And Lyse—after how ruthlessly you discarded her, do you still believe she'll stand by you no matter what? That she'll fight alongside you like before?"The intense midday sun accentuated the sharp, aloof, and pallid features of Jasper's face as he stood, unyielding, in its glare. His pulse quickened. Finally, he answered, his voice a low rasp. "R
As the board meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.News of Justin securing his position as president and Alyssa joining the board quickly spread through Beckett Group.After the meeting, Alyssa escorted Newton back to Crescent Bay while Jasper remained at the corporation to handle some matters.With Xavier accompanying him, Jasper strode toward the chairman's office, his expression cold and unreadable.Nearby, a few employees huddled together, whispering."Psst! Do you think Alyssa joining the board means she's teaming up with Jasper to take down our new president?""People have been saying they broke up since they haven't been seen together for a while," another speculated."But at the press conference, Alyssa openly condemned Mr. Justin. That looked like she was siding with Jasper. So, are they still together or not?""Come on, to people like them, personal feelings don't matter—only their own interests do. Even if they broke up, they can still work together if it
When Jonah reached the bedside, he leaned in slowly, giving Julien an unobstructed view of his tanned skin, well-defined abs, and that devastatingly captivating face. Reclining against the headboard, Julien found himself lost in Jonah's eyes. His breath hitched, and his mind momentarily blanked as Jonah's mesmerizing gaze locked onto him. What could he do? His heart still betrayed him, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He was a fool—a pathetic fool. Jonah braced his arms on either side of Julien's head, his dark eyes overflowing with a raw, possessive affection. It was as if he sought to consume Julien—just as he had last night."Julien, does it still hurt—" "Fuck you!" Julien's bloodshot eyes blazed as he swung his hand, landing a sharp slap across Jonah's face. The illusion of his frailty shattered. A crimson handprint bloomed on Jonah's cheek in a split second, the flesh puffing up visibly. But the sting barely registered. Not when the ache in Jonah's chest was alr
Justin frowned as a hint of surprise flashed across his dark eyes. He had assumed Newton's unannounced appearance at the board meeting—along with Alyssa's involvement—was a coordinated effort with Jasper to overthrow him as president. After mentally running through hundreds of countermeasures, the one possibility he hadn't considered was that everything would proceed smoothly in his favor. Javier was equally stunned, though this outcome aligned with his desires. Today, Justin wasn't merely his son but a constant shadow looming over him, a silent predator watching his every move and reminding him that his past actions weren't completely buried. Instead, this secret loomed like a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment, obliterating everything he'd built. And the person holding the detonator was Justin—his eldest son whom he had trusted above all others. With a dim gaze, Javier watched Justin rise to his feet amid the applause. Suddenly, Justin's voice seemed distant,
Justin curled his lips into a smirk, scoffing in silence. Newton had gone to great lengths to bring Alyssa into Beckett Group. This was his way of decentralizing power and keeping it in check, and he wanted to prevent Justin from having complete control. Unlike others, Javier couldn't hold himself back. He blew his top instantly, his face turning red like a tomato. "Dad, have you lost your mind? Don't you know who she is? She is KS Group's president—our direct competitor!"KS Group is also bidding for Project A5. No matter how much you favor her, you should at least recognize the limits. If you promote her, it's a blatant conflict of interest—outright cronyism!" Newton sneered. "I might understand your concern if I were promoting someone other than Alyssa."His gaze hardened. "Cronyism? A conflict of interest? I wonder who you're really talking about."With those words, he cast a knowing, enigmatic glance at Justin's blank expression. Just then, a board member from Javier's
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc