The air in Sophia's room hung heavy with tension.Sophia was once pampered by Javier. He might even be more attentive to her than to Newton when Newton was sick. When she fell ill, Javier would worry and visit her daily.Yet, after three days, he hadn't shown up, which was a first.She leaned weakly against the headboard, her lips trembling. Through her tears, she stared longingly at him. Sophia started, "Javier, have you been busy? I know it's hard to get away from the work at Beckett Group. I understand. I'm fine, though. Just a ruptured eardrum and I've had surgery—"Javier interrupted with a low, stern voice, "Sophie, I'm here to ask you something. Was Alyssa telling the truth?"Sophia was caught off guard, and her eyes wavered. "Javier, do you still doubt me? But I'm your wife. You know how I treated you over the years. I've given you two daughters and risked my life giving birth to Lauren. After all I've sacrificed, how could I possibly cheat on you with a murder suspect
Sophia looked shocked. Innocent and naive didn't seem like adjectives to describe her. It almost sounded as if Javier were talking about someone else entirely, perhaps Jasper's mother, Anne Bartley.His description irked her.Without missing a beat, Javier pressed on, "You don't appear to be in need of protection. Even without me around, you seem determined to achieve your goals by any means and exact revenge on those you hate."A furrow formed on his forehead, and his gaze darkened. Javier added, "Consider this your final warning. I hope you behave yourself and don't hurt the innocent. Do not give our family more trouble. If you don't listen, I will have no choice but to send you abroad, far away from the drama in Solana City."Sophia trembled in rage when she heard Javier threatening to send her away. She barked, "Javier Beckett, what was that? Are you dumping me now? Do you want to turn me into a divorcee, all because of Alyssa Taylor's baseless claims? Or do you have feelin
"Yes, Mr. Javier!" his staff replied.After that, Javier shook his head glumly and left with heavy footsteps without taking another look at Sophia.Sophia's mouth hung open. Her legs trembled as her body slowly slumped to the floor.There was no use crying and throwing a tantrum. Now, even when she threatened to take her own life, Javier was unwilling to stay by her side and pay her any attention.She wondered if Javier no longer loved her, questioning whether she was merely a replacement for someone else and if he had never truly loved her.Then, she let out a series of maniacal cackles that scared the wits out of the poor bodyguard. He stammered, "M-Madam, are y-you alright?""Great. I guess we are on the same page. You've never loved me, and I've never loved you. But Javier, I am the winner at the end because I am the one who forced the love of your life to death!"…"Ouch. It hurts like hell …" Betty groaned.She woke up drowsily and found herself in a humid and filthy env
"How dare you hit me? I'm Betty Beckett! You …" Betty curled into a ball from the pain and drenched in sweat. She rolled around like a burrito and moaned, but her voice gradually faded.She was surprised by Angelina's strength, which didn't seem typical for a woman.Angelina scoffed. "So what? I can hit you as long as you're not Ms. Lauren."She chuckled and stretched her neck. Then, she cast an icy glare at Betty. "Your life, to me, is as worthless as those rats in the corner."Betty was incensed and humiliated upon hearing that. She got up from the floor with gritted teeth and resolved to fight Angelina with every ounce of her energy.However, before she could even stand, Angelina kicked her again with greater force.Yelping, Betty splatted on the ground, feeling excruciating pain throughout her body. Tears, snot, and dust covered her face, turning her into a mess.Angelina, devoid of remorse for hitting a woman, was about to deliver a second kick when Landon's voice came thro
Blushing profusely, Lauren understood that Landon was aroused, so she sneaked into Landon's arms."Stay still. Let me kiss you a little more," Landon said to her tenderly as he engaged in a tongue kiss with her, pinching her chin. Dizzy and defenseless, she succumbed to his passionate advance.Landon was abruptly interrupted by a deafening slap through his earbud as things were about to escalate. Halting, he removed the earbud with a frown."L-Landon, is that Betty?" Lauren clung tightly to his waist, staring in disbelief as Angelina slapped Betty on the other side."Yeah. No one is as ugly as that heartless sister of yours," Landon replied, observing Betty's distress from the assault.Lauren witnessed Angelina holding Betty up from the ground by holding Betty's hair. Then, Angelina started slapping Betty indiscriminately. A few rounds later, Betty's haughty and pretty face swelled, her nose bleeding, and her eyes struggling to open.Angelina, trained in martial arts and servin
Jim Ford, the old driver who had served Landon for decades, looked shocked by Landon's transformation. He had lots of admiration for the adorable Lauren, who had saved Landon from the abyss.Ever since the loss of his father, Landon had dwelled in darkness, becoming increasingly cynical and callous. However, Lauren had managed to breathe life back into him, rekindling his human emotions. Jim was glad for Landon.Slowly, Lauren calmed down and sobbed quietly in Landon's arms, paining him.Sometimes, he forgot the fact that Lauren was autistic because she was always energetic and innocent.He secretly looked for treatments abroad but didn't get anything useful. The experts from abroad merely recommended therapy and long-term care, a long and grueling process that not many could withstand.However, he had to do it for Lauren. He had chosen to be with her and was determined to spend the rest of his life with her."Thank you, Landon, for not beating up Betty," she mumbled."Why do yo
Alyssa enjoyed a hot late-night bath and changed into her pink silk night robe. She tied her long hair with a towel and whistled a tune as she descended the stairs, looking radiant.Despite all her recent troubles, she knew her luck would turn around soon. Besides, as a Taylor, she knew she could get anything she wanted, even if it were the nation's presidency.However, Jasper Beckett remained a headache for her.The thought of Jasper frustrated her to no end. She thought Jasper had fallen for her. She even gradually warmed up to him and accepted him, only to be disillusioned.Men were disappointing and despicable, and Jasper was the worst of them all.The more she thought about it, the more upset she became. Her lips turned into a scowl.Sean beamed at her from the living room and said, "Ms. Alyssa, I made some hot soup. Would you like some? It's not going to ruin your diet plan."Alyssa felt sorry for Sean, who was sweaty from all the cooking. She told him, "Sean, you're my se
The doorbell rang at that moment. Sean was puzzled. "Who's visiting at this hour?""Sean, answer the door. She's my guest," instructed Alyssa.Sean remained confused, for Alyssa hadn't told him about the guest before this. Still, he put his thoughts aside and opened the door.A young and good-looking lady in her 20s stood there. She was dressed in athleisure wear and a black cap."You are …" Sean wondered, examining the woman before him."I-I am Nina—Nina Carle. I'm a maid at the Beckett family who works for Ms. Lauren," Nina nervously introduced herself while checking out the surroundings.Upon learning that she worked for Lauren, Sean immediately pieced the puzzle together."Sorry, Nina. I couldn't pick you up because of some reasons. I had to trouble you to visit me," Alyssa greeted Nina and held her hand. Then, she led Nina into the living room."It must be cold outside. Your hands are frozen. Didn't I ask you to hail a cab? Don't worry about the fees," Alyssa said."It's
Jasper held his breath. It felt as if his legs had been chained together. He was unable to move. Looking at a stiff Jasper from behind, Xavier noticed his shoulders trembling slightly. An ominous feeling rose within him. "What did you say?" Jasper questioned. He sounded as if he was forcing himself to hold himself back from getting emotional. "Mr. Justin once mentioned that you were saved by a female doctor when you were badly wounded on the battlefield many years ago. I heard that you have been searching for her and that you've been grateful toward her." Jasper's back stiffened up. He narrowed his eyes and asked in a frosty voice, "This is a private matter. Why would Justin have told you about it?" "Mr. Justin mentioned it to me because I also used to work as a doctor in Luminara. He was hoping that I could help with finding that woman. "I finally have news on her whereabouts now. Mr. Jasper, don't you want to see the White Dove again? She was the person who gave her all t
That night, Alyssa stayed in the presidential suite of Solana City's KS World Hotel. She couldn't bring herself to return to her own manor—not yet. The lingering memories of her breakup with Jasper were still too raw, and the thought of revisiting their former home felt like reopening an unhealed wound.The following morning, she was awakened by a knock at the door. Groggily, she slipped on her night robe and opened it to find Sean standing there, carrying a complete set of brand-new hiking gear.Alyssa smiled. "Thank you, Sean." "Ms. Alyssa, it's freezing today. Are you sure you want to go hiking?" Sean walked into the living room and placed the items neatly on the couch. He still felt somewhat worried. "It's alright if it's cold, as long as the weather is good."Alyssa gazed out the window. The sun was shining brightly. The thought of going hiking with Jasper today made it impossible for her to conceal the sweet smile on her face and the delight in her eyes. She still love
Remy's eyes were bloodshot; his expression twisted with disgust as he stared at Sheryl. He could hardly fathom how someone so deranged and vile had once been close to Jasper. Even if Jasper and Alyssa had separated, Sheryl was nowhere near worthy of Jasper's side; she was not even fit to be the dirt on Alyssa's shoes.A sudden flash of memory struck him—the image of Alyssa during that traffic accident. He recalled her mustering all her strength to crawl out of her wrecked car, her face bloody, her body broken yet defiant. He had never seen such a fierce spirit in a woman before.His heart pounded uncontrollably, the memory triggering a sharp pain in his temples. Remy closed his eyes, gasping for breath.Sheryl broke into wild, unhinged laughter. Her entire body shook as she spat out her words, "Oh, Jasper, you poor, clueless fool!"If he ever discovers that the woman he's been tormenting all this time is actually his savior—the one he's been desperate to repay—that would be an eart
Sheryl's eyes lit up. "And what might that reason be?"Justin's lips curved into a faint smirk, his voice calm yet carrying a cold, ethereal tone. "Besides Ms. Alyssa, there's another woman who holds great significance to Jasper. She's the only one who can compel him to act without hesitation." Remy, usually a man of few words, abruptly spoke up. "Is she the one you've mentioned before? The woman who saved Jasper on the battlefield?""After Jasper retired from the military, he was plagued by PTSD. He came back shattered, dispirited, even on the brink of taking his own life."During that time, I often spoke with him over the phone, urging him to hold on, to keep living. I reminded him that if I could endure this half-disabled existence, then surely, he could find a reason to go on."Justin's tone was leisurely, as though recounting something insignificant. He continued, "I told him that if he were gone, what would become of Beckett Group? More than that, he would leave Dad and G
A first-rate Wiktorian mansion was located in a secluded and quiet area on the East Side. It was Justin's private residence. Outsiders were unaware of its existence. Sheryl arrived in the early hours of the morning, rushing to report to Justin, only to bump into Remy, who exuded an unmistakable air of coldness. His eyes were bloodshot as if he hadn't slept in days. A menacing vibe surrounded him, and his eyes burned with feral intensity. Sheryl felt unsettled and longed to flee his presence."You're like a ghoul," she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes before knocking on the door to enter Justin's study.Remy remained expressionless in the face of her contemptuous remark. He followed her into the room. In his classically-decorated study, Justin sat in his wheelchair, idly toying with a colorful cockatiel in its gilded cage.Jameson once possessed an exquisite, costly cockatiel at The Millenium. A devoted follower of Justin, the former idolized the latter, mimicking
Alyssa released Jasper's hand and quickly opened the car door. "Mr. Beckett, see you there, rain or shine." The warmth of her touch left his fingers as she withdrew. Jasper instinctively curled his fingers inward, his mouth parting to say something—anything—but hesitation held him back.Without waiting for his response, Alyssa slipped out of the car and disappeared into the night without a backward glance. It wasn't until she was fully gone that he whispered in a low, hoarse voice, "See you there, rain or shine." …When Alyssa returned to the parking lot, Sean was standing worriedly beside the car, waiting for her. Seeing her approach, eyes glistening with unshed tears, he knew she had just seen Jasper. A dull ache tugged at his heart, and he was certain their conversation had been anything but pleasant."Ms. Alyssa," he began softly, "I know you're relentless in everything you pursue. But some things in life… they just can't be forced. Sometimes, letting go can be its own k
Xavier was confused. He caught the tie bar in his hands and asked, "What's this, Mr. Beckett?" Jasper closed his eyes to rest. He tugged at his tie knot but still felt suffocated."It was from Sheryl," he answered. Xavier let out a cry. "This filthy thing is from that wild woman? I don't want it!" With a disgusted look on his face, Xavier hurled the tie bar aside. "I'm already seeing someone. I don't want my girlfriend to misunderstand me." "Girlfriend?" "Yeah, Mr. Beckett. Maggie is my girlfriend." With his eyes closed, Jasper frowned. "She's become of age?" Xavier didn't know how he should react. "She's already in university, Mr. Beckett. Am I that much of an animal in your eyes?" Suddenly, the memory of himself and Alyssa rescuing Maggie flashed through Jasper's mind. Just then, Xavier exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Beckett, look!" Jasper opened his eyes slowly, and his heart jolted. Standing alone before his car was Alyssa, framed against the piercing headlights,
Alyssa balled her hands into fists as she pressed them against the faux rock. All her focus was now directed onto Sheryl instead of Jasper. At this moment, Sheryl picked up the tie bar from its box. While Jasper was distracted, she clipped it onto his tie. Jasper was taken aback. He quickly stepped back, but Sheryl was quicker, and the tie bar was clipped on. "Mr. Jasper, it suits you really well." Sheryl's eyes were captivating, and her voice was sultry. If she were speaking with any other man, they would be easily captivated by her. "It looks like I made the right choice." Jasper's eyes dimmed. Yet, out of courtesy and because Sheryl worked for Justin, he did not react in any way that would put her in a difficult spot. Alyssa's eyes reflected a deep sorrow as she watched them, her gaze carrying the silent desolation of a snowstorm beginning to overtake her heart. Even so, she forced herself to stay rational. She pulled out her cell phone, wanting to record Sheryl's ever
Jasper stumbled into the hotel's back garden and stopped by the pond. He panted hard, feeling as if he were drowning. Even so, he could not return to his usual composure. As he shook all over, he bent down and grabbed a handful of snow. The bone-piercing cold spread through his body, but he still couldn't suppress the throbbing pain in his temples. His eyes became bloodshot. He stuffed that handful of snow into his mouth and swallowed all of it. He couldn't suppress it. He couldn't suppress it at all.The pills. He needed those pills! "Mr. Jasper? What are you doing here?" Sheryl's surprised voice came from behind Jasper.He held his breath, his fingers tightening around the snow in his grasp, veins bulging as he clenched his fists. Slowly, he straightened his back and turned to face her. "I came out for some fresh air," he answered in an extremely hoarse voice. Sheryl narrowed her eyes and studied him. "Mr. Jasper, you look awful. Are you feeling unwell?" "I'm fine." A