Mandy trembled at the thought of even asking for Axel's help, knowing that Axel was resentful toward her and the entire Taylor family.Despite Mandy's sacrifices and true love for Winston and her stepchildren, Axel had stubbornly perceived her as a homewrecker. Without Mandy opening the polygamous floodgate, Winston wouldn't have gone on to marry Lyla and Colene.Axel probably wondered if Winston would have stayed monogamous had it not been for Mandy's presence.As Winston's second wife, she bore the brunt of criticisms and prejudices more than the other two wives.Mandy replied to Alyssa, "I'll get this done right away. I'm calling Julien now."She always attended to Alyssa's concerns promptly. She dialed Julien's number, and soon, they heard Julien's surprisingly youthful voice from the other end. He greeted, "Aunt Mandy, I've missed you!""Julien, have you been busy lately? You didn't call me at all. Did you have too much fun and forget about me?" Mandy teased him."Gosh, no!
"Did you know who else received the heart transplant instead of their daughter? It went to the Solana City mayor's son! The poor girl left the world after much suffering because she couldn't wait for the next donor," lamented Julien. Even Alyssa felt heartbroken upon hearing the story. As a doctor, she empathized with Julien.Mandy replied, "Julien, I understand what you feel, but—""Aunt Mandy, I will never provide any treatment to high officials or tycoons. Since they are filthy rich and powerful, I believe they can get any doctor they want. I'm just a hot-tempered doctor who might even harm their life if I ever treat them. You should ask Mr. Beckett to hire another doctor."Mandy gaped. Before she could say a word, Julien hung up."Lyse, I'm sorry. Even his parents can't do anything about him, not to mention me," Mandy sighed.Alyssa felt her chest tightened. She pressed her lips and comforted Mandy, "Don't blame yourself for that. It's not your fault. You tried your best. I'
Axel chuckled amusedly. "That's because Julien Lovelace is gay."Alyssa had goosebumps from the revelation. Axel advised her, "You'll need to get a man to seduce him. He doesn't get hard for women."Then, he grinned wickedly. "Hey, why don't you get Silas to do the job for you? He's got broad shoulders and a nice ass. I bet he's considered a ten in the gay community. That Lovelace guy will definitely thirst for Silas!"Alyssa snickered. Was this the first time Axel had ever complimented Silas?…Half a month later, Jasper was discharged from the hospital. Newton picked him up on that day, keeping a low profile to avoid media attention.In the car, Newton held Jasper's hand tightly and stared intently at Jasper's head, causing Jasper to shiver.Curious, Jasper asked, "Grandpa, what's wrong with my head?""You look good in a military haircut," Newton remarked, caressing his head."That was my hairstyle throughout the military school. They called me the 'hot guy,'" Jasper sai
Jasper's eyes widened. He was utterly confused. "What do you mean? She's no longer working here?""The day before, the hotel management received an official update about Ms. Alyssa's transfer to KS Group headquarters. She has officially left her role as the hotel manager, and she'll take up a new role once she reports to HQ.""What about the hotel?""A senior personnel from KS World's overseas branch will be transferred here to take over the manager role in Solana City," Avery informed Jasper. Avery was reminded of Alyssa's busy schedule and the unforgettable memories of their time working together. She smiled at Jasper and recounted, "Ms. Alyssa produced great results within a year of managing the hotel. She's brought us back on track, motivated the employees, and achieved the highest sales record in ten years."Mr. Taylor is extremely pleased with her work. The transfer did not come as a surprise at all. She should develop her career in a better environment. Working in the ho
Jonah subtly nodded at Alyssa, accompanying it with a warm smile as he extended his hand. "Lyse.""Coming!" Alyssa responded, gracefully stepping out of the car in her sleek black YSL heels. The swaying of her black skirt revealed the fair complexion of her slender legs, a captivating sight for anyone.She placed her hand in Jonah's palm and alighted the car.The two senior executives greeted her, "Good afternoon, Ms. Alyssa!"Acknowledging them with a nod, Alyssa replied, "You must have waited for a while. It's cold out here. Let's head in."When the siblings showed up in public, everyone marveled at their good looks.Someone gasped, "Wow, Ms. Alyssa looks more stunning than on TV!""Absolutely. Even with the handsome Mr. Jonah by her side, I can't help but focus on her. She's so pretty that anyone would instantly fall in love with her."People who had previously complained about Alyssa were now praising her upon seeing her, well before she had even started working. She was, u
"I heard from Winston that Lyse is starting work at KS Group. Which department and role will she undertake? Since I have some time today, shall I give her a tour?" Dominic offered.Alyssa and Jonah exchanged glances in the face of Dominic's enthusiasm. Jonah replied flatly, "We'll have to wait for Dad's further instructions. I'm sure he will assign Lyse a suitable role to make use of her talent. We'll update you when we get the news.""Oh, of course! Sounds good. I'll wait for the good news, Lyse!" Then, Dominic thought of something and smiled at Lyse. "By the way, Renee sent you a gift when she heard you're joining KS Group. She's got it delivered to your office. Go check it out!"Renee Taylor was Dominic's only child and Alyssa's cousin. The two had not met for a while, and they didn't exactly share a good relationship.Alyssa flashed a smile in amusement. "Is it? That's thoughtful of her."The group made their way to Alyssa's new office. When they were near, Sean pointed at t
Dominic's smile froze after hearing Alyssa mock Renee.…Jonah and Alyssa entered her new office. When the door shut behind them, she snickered and sat on the couch. "Renee is such a bitch. She's already giving me trouble before I officially join the company—always so impatient."Jonah poured her a glass of water and sighed. "She competed for stickers with you in preschool. When you were in elementary school, you competed against her for the lead role in a dance performance."She's been competing against you for her entire life, but she's never won once. I would have given up if I were her, but I'm surprised by her persistence.""She has been losing to me when we were young. She'd be naive to think that she could win when we are now adults," remarked Alyssa. She took a sip of water with a glint in her eyes. "Things are different now. If she works against me, I will not hesitate to get rid of her, even if she's family.""Of course, you won't. You always retaliate against those who
On the street opposite the KS Group building, Jameson leaned casually against his car door, hands in pockets, basking in the twilight glow as he fixated on the building's entrance.He had been waiting for Alyssa to reach out to him. Even if they couldn't meet, he would be satisfied with a text from her.Disappointment settled in, confirming his suspicions that he did not hold any weight to her. Worse, he knew for sure that Alyssa had a place for Jasper in her heart. It was concealed beneath the aftermath of her divorce and reluctance to admit her feelings.Jameson adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and put on an icy look that contrasted the brilliant glow around him."Jimmy!"Upon hearing Alyssa's sweet voice, he immediately put on a warm smile. "Lyse, you're finally here."She shuffled up to him, hands on her back, and tilted her head quizically. "From the sound of it, you've waited for a long time. Is that true? I thought you just arrived."Her demeanor was like a cheerful tee
"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
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa