Zoe had tested Landon's boundaries with her audacious demeanor and shameless laughter, leaving him incredulous that she was his sister. When had Zoe transformed into this woman? He had doted on her since childhood, but she had gradually veered down the wrong path.He screamed at her in a fit of hysteria. "I'll ask you one last time. Who's the mastermind behind this scandal?""No one. My answer remains the same, no matter how many times you ask me," she replied and rose from the ground. She smoothed the wrinkles on her expensive dress and tossed her brown wavy curls. "Landon, I will marry your best friend soon and become Mrs. Beckett."You know Jasper well. Although you said you'd introduce me to wealthy suitors, I won't marry anyone except for Jasper, as I have loved him for a long time. No one is better than Jasper. Aren't you happy that I'm about to marry a Beckett? I thought you loved me the most. Was that just for show as well?""Zoe Harper, what's all that bullshit?" Lando
"Lyse, you're awesome!" Cyrus exclaimed. He was seated in a corner of the KS World Hotel café with Alyssa.He laid out a few photos on the table and remarked, "As you have predicted, the culprit has a secret room at his house where he kept Sophia Kirkman's photos. He's not a loyal fan of Lyla like he claimed, but a fanatic supporter of Sophia Kirkman."Alyssa pursed her lips and said in a hushed voice, "Cyrus, have you found any other important clues?"After some hesitation, Cyrus showed her a transparent evidence bag. The bag contained a platinum necklace studded with diamonds. The design of the jewelry was rather outdated, and the quality was not the best.Cyrus explained, "I found this necklace at the attacker's place. He carefully stored it in a case, so I assume it's very important to him."Alyssa always had a sharp memory. Somehow, the necklace looked familiar to her. She quickly looked through some of the photos."Look, Sophia has worn this necklace before. It's the same o
"Well, I can only trust your word, future first lady of Kontina!" Alyssa teased Miley."Ms. Alyssa, you're home!" Sean rushed out from the kitchen, looking dapper in his suit. However, he was covered in some flour."Sean, are you cooking?" Alyssa inquired curiously."Yes. Madam Lyla and Tatiana are in the kitchen. I'm helping out," Sean replied with an awkward and troubled expression."What? Is Lyla cooking in the kitchen?" Mandy gasped and stood up. "Why didn't anyone stop her? She fainted this morning!"Alyssa's heart sank upon learning that. "Did Lyla faint earlier today? Let me check on her."Meanwhile, Tatiana was helping Lyla in the kitchen. Lyla looked pale, which made Tatiana worry.She asked Lyla, "Mom, are you okay?""I'm fine. I'll have to rush. It's almost dinnertime. I don't want to leave everyone hungry," Lyla mumbled while speedily cutting the vegetables. Suddenly, a gasp escaped her lips.Tatiana panicked and nearly cried when she saw what had happened. "Mom, y
Alyssa let out a knowing sigh. She and Lyla were well aware of Winston's hot temper. He would have sent someone to harm Sophia had he known that Sophia was the mastermind behind Lyla's attack.In Alyssa's opinion, that was not the most satisfying way of dealing with Sophia, nor was it legal.Alyssa was adept with dealing honestly or playing dirty. Knowing how cunning Sophia was, Alyssa had to play dirty."Lyla, do you recognize this man?" Alyssa presented a photo on her phone to Lyla, as the attacker had concealed his face during the attack."This man … He's … He's …" Lyla stammered, wide-eyed. "His name is Ronald Branson. He was an assistant at TS Network, handling tasks like distributing food and drinks for actors.""So, he had access to the TS Network building, right?""Not only that, he filled in other roles on set. Sometimes, when we were short on extras, he had to fill in", Lyla explained, a hint of confusion in her expression. "Lyse, why are you asking about him?"Alyssa
"Why are you here?" Alyssa asked, catching herself before she could blurt out, "Why is it you?"Jameson was dressed in an exquisite black suit. He looked regal with the dazzling horse in hand, like a prince out of a palace.He said, "I'm just here to see you.""How's your injury? You should rest for at least two months. What about the cast on your arm?" Alyssa inquired about his condition upon recalling the frightful night."I have no regret after hearing that," he responded with a passionate look at her.She held her breath, uncertain how to continue the conversation.Jameson added, "I'm not only here to see you. I'm here to give you the horse. You left in such a hurry that you didn't get to bring it with you.""Jimmy, thanks for the lovely horse, but I can't accept that expensive gift from you," she calmly turned down his offer."Lyse, did I do anything wrong? Did it upset you? Were you still angry because of what happened that day?""No. That's all in the past. It doesn't m
Before the gate closed, Jameson abruptly halted, shooting an icy gaze toward his back. His pale lips curled into a mocking smile as he scoffed, "Hah. You coward."…Meanwhile, Jasper stood before his bedroom window, staring blankly into the distance. He smoked one cigarette after another, the ashtray overflowing with stubs, the room shrouded in smoke that masked his loneliness.He let out some muffled coughs, his chest feeling like an empty cave.He replayed the scene of the day when he tossed the divorce papers in front of Alyssa and forced her to sign them. After that, she left without taking a dime from him. He stood at the same window when she left in Jonah's car, his gaze tailing the car.He was filled with unexplainable rage at that time. He finally realized the reason behind his emotions—he hated seeing her leave.Their subsequent bitter exchanges were attempts to convince himself he didn't love her.He didn't fall in love with Alyssa only after losing her. Instead, i
Winston and Alyssa's older brothers were on a business trip abroad. Only the female family members were at home.Jameson was not a stranger to the family. However, it was late at night, and the family was taking care of Lyla. Not wanting to disturb her family, Alyssa discreetly ushered Jameson into the guest room.To her surprise, Miley was already in the room, enjoying tea."Miley, are you still up?" Alyssa introduced Jameson to him, "Oh, this is my friend. He's Jameso—""I know. He's Jameson Schmidt, the fourth son of the Schmidt family. I remember him from Lyla's birthday party," Miley said and calmly set her tea on the table.With a smile, she remarked, "Lyse rarely has any friend of the opposite sex apart from her brothers. You're the first, Jameson.""It's my honor," Jameson replied with a seemingly genuine smile. "I'm more honored to have a chance to meet with the future first lady of Kontina."Jameson's comment took Alyssa aback.Miley answered flatly, "I'm just Lyse's
Carl reached into his bag, pulling out a plastic bag containing a syringe. He explained, "After reviewing the surveillance footage, we discovered that David's men were responsible."Jameson smirked with half-closed eyes. "David is as malicious as Josh but lacks Josh's effectiveness. His methods are crude, always leaving behind evidence. A halfwit like him doesn't deserve my time.""But we can't let this slide, can we? It would be too cowardly!" Carl gritted his teeth.Leaning back, Jameson enjoyed some shut-eye. "Of course not. I'll make him pay for what he did to me. He broke my arm, so I'll break his leg. That's only fair, right?"Carl concurred, "Of course! You're already showing mercy by not taking his life, all because he's your brother!"Jameson thought, "David does not deserve to be called a brother."He wagged his finger, stating, "If it were Lyse who got injured that day, I would have gotten rid of David Schmidt by now."…After taking a bath and applying skincare, Aly
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