With Renee's ankle twisting, her arms flailed frantically in mid-air. The Hermès bag she held soared, leaving her in a comically awkward sprawl on the ground."Ouch! I-It hurts!" she yelped.She sat on the floor as tears welled up in her eyes. Even her lips were quivering uncontrollably. In a typical scenario, a man would step forward to help a beautiful woman in distress, especially when she fell because of the man. Who would have thought Jasper was unaffected by the situation?He walked away fast. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from Renee's sight.At that moment, Xavier rushed over, too. He merely glanced at Renee, who was pathetically lying on the ground. Then, he followed behind Jasper and left. In just a short span of seconds, Renee started to question her appearance. She had always been confident with her looks.It was often said that people would hesitate to help an older lady who fell, but why didn't anyone help Renee? She was a gorgeous woman, after all. Dom
On the west side, in a hotel, Jasper entered the lobby with his suit drenched in sweat. His phone, held in his sweaty palm, vibrated continuously.He looked down at the screen and saw an incoming call from an anonymous number."Hello," Jasper said in a deep voice, his throat felt dry. "Mr. Beckett, it's room 2051, on the 20th floor. "A stranger's voice on the other end said, "I left the key card in the flowerpot in the 20th-floor stairwell. If you want to save Ms. Taylor, you need to act quickly. Delaying any further could lead to unwanted consequences! Make sure you don't regret your decision."Jasper was about to take a step forward when his face suddenly darkened. He asked, "Who are you, really? Did you send me those pictures?There was silence on the other end. "Are you a paparazzo or acting on someone's orders? How did you get the hotel room key card?" Jasper, with quick thinking, asked the most crucial question."Good question, Mr. Beckett. But I can't disclose those d
Jasper couldn't explain. He had to leave immediately."I'll call your brother and have him come to pick you up right away!" After saying that, Jasper turned to leave. "Jasper! No, please don't go."Zoe threw herself at him, tightly hugging him from behind, her naked body pressed against his. She pleaded, "Jasper, I'm scared. I'm really scared. Please don't leave me, okay?" Jasper looking disgusted. He ordered coldly, "Let go." "No! I don't want to!" Zoe, without hesitation, pressed her body against his masculine back and continued, "Throughout my life, I've never had a boyfriend, and my body has always been untouched by anyone …""Now that you've seen my body, Jasper, you can't just walk away without taking responsibility!""Taking responsibility?" Jasper bit his lip and said, "I'll only be responsible for one woman in my life, and that's Alyssa." Following his statement, he forcefully disentangled Zoe's arms from his and broke free.Zoe couldn't match the strength o
Jameson donned a patient's gown in a hospital VIP ward. Then, he reclined in bed. His handsome and delicate face lost its color, and his lips resembled pale, wilting petals, portraying a frail image that evoked sympathy."Mr. Schmidt, why are you so foolish?"Todd stood by the bed, still visibly shaken. "Mr. Schmidt, do you realize how dangerously close you came to being seriously hurt by that horse? If it had trampled you, you might have lost your life right then, and all your hardships and plans in Kontina would have been for nothing!" Jameson gradually opened his eyes and smirked. "Todd, it seems you're genuinely concerned and care about me."Todd was startled. Tears welled up in his eyes as he began, "Mr. Schmidt …"He had been with Jameson for eight years, first as a runner and now as a secretary. Although his role had changed, his status hadn't. He remained a devoted subordinate. Jameson was exceedingly shrewd and suspicious, maintaining a cold and guarded distance from e
Faced with Alyssa's honesty, Jameson felt a surge of anger. His hands clenched the bed sheets tightly. "I've been married to Jasper for three years, but I've known him much longer than that. It's definitely longer than you might think." Alyssa spoke calmly, as if chatting with a friend, but she couldn't deny that mentioning those past events still caused an ache in her heart. She continued, "Once, there was nothing in my life but him. Later, he divorced me, and it felt like he had taken my entire heart with him. My body had a void from then on, like an irreparable disability. "If you were me, could you ignore it? Could you pretend that nothing ever happened?" "Lyse, I …" "But don't think that I'm so dependent on Jasper that I can't live without him. That's too extreme."Alyssa waved her hand, a momentary sadness crossing her beautiful eyes. "Life must go on. I just need some time." "Lyse, no matter how long it takes, I'm willing to wait for you."Jameson's pale face sho
Alyssa slammed the bathroom door and sat on the toilet. She bit her lips and scrolled through Twitter's trending topics and comments in a frenzy.Large beads of sweat fell onto the screen one by one."Hahaha! I knew it. Men are all the same. They just can't stay loyal. Wasn't there a rumor about Jasper getting close to the Taylor family's daughter? He kept defending her, and now he's involved with Zoe. How can he be so unfaithful?""It's officially confirmed. He's the scumbag of the century!""It's all a lie. Let me tell you—Jasper just wants to marry into the Taylor family and become a billionaire son-in-law! If he really ends up with Alyssa, it's a union between the Beckett and Taylor dynasties. With Winston as his father-in-law, who would dare to challenge him in the whole of Andgalbia?""Huh? Jasper's a billionaire himself. He doesn't need Alyssa." "Hah, don't be naive. Who doesn't like having more money?"Alyssa's eyes grew cold as she raised her hand, tightly gripping her
The screen showed a string of numbers instead of a name. Jasper had always had two numbers, one for personal use and one for work. She remembered them both very well. He would only use his personal phone to call her privately, so this time was a bit unusual. Alyssa's heart tightened, and she answered the call, slowly placing the phone to her ear, but remained silent. "Lyse!" Jasper's voice was hoarse and unrecognizable. Alyssa didn't reply. She kept her lips tightly sealed. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly. "Lyse, please believe me, I've been set up by someone!" Jasper knew it wasn't easy to get her to answer the call, so he didn't waste time and got to the point. "This is a complex setup. Zoe couldn't have done it alone. Someone must be backing her!"And the bait set by the other party wasn't Zoe. It was you!"Alyssa, with her eyes cast down, spoke slowly. "Let's meet at the City Center Amusement Park near KS World in half an hour."If she hadn't answered Jonah's call
"Well, that makes things easier." Jameson smiled faintly and added, "You did a big favor for me tonight. Thanks for your hard work." "Mr. Schmidt, please don't say that. I owe my life to you, and I'm willing to do anything for you," Amber said softly, full of affection. Jameson's tone was stern, "I'll send you a plane ticket and some money. You can go and enjoy yourself for a while. If you need more, just let Todd know, and he'll send it to you." Amber's breath caught, and she became anxious. "Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. Are you sending me away?" "Jasper fell for our trap. He won't let it slide. He'll start an investigation right away. He's not foolish, but Ms. Alyssa has thrown him off this time."To avoid unnecessary trouble, you should lay low for now. Todd will temporarily handle things on The Millennium's side.""But …""Listen to me." Jameson's voice turned cold suddenly. Amber's throat tightened as she muttered, "Yes, Mr. Schmidt."…Alyssa got to the park first becau
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