David's driver perished at the scene, and the badly injured bodyguard seated in the front passenger seat battled for his life in the emergency room.Fortunately, as David was seated in the back, he suffered facial injuries from the glass shards after the front collision. Despite bleeding from the head, he survived the accident.However, a comminuted fracture in his legs left him permanently crippled.Victor enlisted experts from across the country to treat David, but none could successfully rehabilitate David's legs.One day, the Schmidts sat in their living room—a heavy feeling hung in the air. Daisy sobbed uncontrollably, but it was unclear if her grief was genuine. She wailed, "Why did this happen? David used that road often, and it was a straight road. How did he get into an accident?"Everyone was moody. Only Jameson crossed his legs and sipped on his tea, unconcerned. He remarked nonchalantly, "The frequency of using a road doesn't reduce your chances of getting into an ac
Jameson halted in his tracks and squinted when he heard the icy voice from behind. Yawning, he turned around and questioned, "Josh, what's the matter? It's late, and I'd like to rest.""Jimmy, you put on a good show. Isn't it killing two birds with one stone?" Josh commented as he took a few steps closer, examining Jameson with a sharp gaze."Huh?" Jameson tilted his head, feigning ignorance.Cutting to the chase, Josh accused, "You set up David's car accident, didn't you?"Jameson still acted like he was confused. "What?"Seeing through Jameson's act, Josh continued, "You sent your men to screw up David's car, but you didn't want him dead, just crippled. "Then, you offered a solution to Dad by introducing Ms. Alyssa to him, which earned you cookie points. You proved yourself capable of sharing his worries. Bravo, Jimmy! That was some slick move."Jameson adjusted his glasses and lifted his chin. He erupted into a series of laughter that echoed in the corridor, sending goosebum
Victor, worried about David, called Winston that night to make sure that Winston and Alyssa were at home. The following day, he went to the Taylors' residence at Belbanks with Jameson.Upon arrival, he immediately wailed without a care for his image, "Oh, Winston! You have to save our poor David!"Winston and Mandy welcomed him at the door. Winston secretly chuckled at Victor's disheveled look. After a lifetime of competition between them, Victor had finally given up."What's wrong, Victor?" Mandy was surprised to see Victor in such distress.Victor, rushing toward them, accidentally tripped on a rock. He fell to his knees in front of the couple, grimacing from the pain in his hand. Winston and Mandy were left speechless by the unexpected scene.Suppressing a snicker, Jameson helped Victor up. Then, he asked, "Dad, are you hurt anywhere?"Victor truly loved David. Without even worrying about his appearance, he grabbed Winston and explained, "Winston, David got into a serious car
David remained in a coma. In reality, he was awake, but the doctor had opted to keep him sedated to shield him from potential emotional distress.An hour elapsed, and Alyssa emerged from the room, flanked by the hospital director and two medical professors. She wore a somber expression.Victor hurried over and inquired, "Lyse, how's David?"The other family members, the secretaries, and the bodyguards surrounded the medical team as well.Frowning, Alyssa hesitated before delivering the grim news, "Uncle Victor, the situation is not optimistic. David has a severe fracture that's challenging to mend. The chances of successful healing are close to none, and there's only a 20 percent probability of him ever walking again."The Schmidt family seemed devastated by the revelation. If not for Josh and Daisy supporting Victor, he might have collapsed.Only Jameson leaned against a corner of the wall out of everyone's vision and grinned."Ms. Alyssa, please save my brother's legs, even if
The Schmidts exchanged funny looks with each other, suspecting a relationship between Alyssa and Jameson, given their intimate behavior.However, given Jameson's standing in the family, he was not an ideal match for Alyssa."I'm okay," Alyssa replied, steadying her breath before struggling to free herself from Jameson's arms.She refused to cause any misunderstanding under the many watchful eyes. Jameson awkwardly froze and clutched his fingers stiffly.Victor rushed to the scene at that moment, followed by his staff. He inquired, "Lyse, how's the situation?"She wiped away the sweat on her forehead and sighed helplessly. "Uncle Victor, I tried my best, but I only saved his left leg because his injuries were too severe.""W-What about the other leg?""It has to be amputated," she dropped a bomb that nearly caused Victor to faint.He mustered, "It's … It's alright. I know you gave your best. I'm grateful that you managed to save one of his legs."Alyssa revealed in honesty, "By
The air in the spacious corridor hung heavy.Jasper was stung by the sight of Alyssa leaning weakly in Jameson's arms. Tears welled up in his eyes. Jasper thought that Alyssa's relationship with Jameson developed speedily during his absence. Feeling bitter, he stared at his feet and tightened his grip on Newton's wheelchair handle.Jameson did not flinch at Newton and Jasper's presence. He addressed Alyssa with affection and concern, "Lyse, you've just completed a difficult surgery. You're exhausted and need rest. I'll send you home."Alyssa, however, brushed aside his concern and approached Newton with a worried expression. Kneeling, she gently held Newton's wrinkled hand. "Grandpa, why are you at the hospital? Do you feel unwell?"Jasper pursed his lips after he was ignored by Alyssa. She seemed only to have eyes for Jameson."I'm fine. It's just a heart issue. It flared up, so Jasper insisted on sending me to the hospital at night," Newton explained while looking at Alyssa lo
Zoe enthusiastically leaned toward Newton and assured him, "Jasper and I will stay by your side tonight. I'll be here for as long as you stay."Hearing this, Jasper scowled. Alyssa noticed his expression. Unlike others, Jasper was unreserved in expressing his dislikes. With a quick temper and low emotional intelligence, he relied on capability rather than diplomacy for business deals.She remembered that he always scowled at her when they were married. Was he upset at Zoe?She looked away, refusing to pay him any attention. Even if he was unhappy with Zoe now, he must have been welcoming toward her when she knocked on his hotel room door on the night of the scandal."Ms. Zoe, I have undergone the checkups. It's not a huge issue at all. I can be discharged now," Newton replied. He always addressed Landon by his first name, but with Zoe, he stuck to "Ms. Zoe", seemingly keeping a distance between them.He teased, "If you stay by my side when I'm at the hospital, I might never get
Newton added, "Tomorrow, I'll get this little punk to make all three meals for you. He'll prepare a bath for you tonight. Ben is on leave for the next two days, so Jasper will take over all the housework."Jasper pressed his lips as his brows twitched in surprise. Managing household tasks was one thing, but entrusting him with cooking? Was Newton being a bit too callous about his health and safety?"Grandpa, I …" Alyssa began, her voice trailing off in hesitation.Just as she was trying to come up with a way to excuse herself, Jameson approached them calmly and flashed a warm and gentlemanly smile at Newton. Jameson said, "Mr. Beckett Senior, I'm afraid Lyse won't be joining you tonight.""Why?" Newton asked, his brow furrowed.Jameson sighed deeply, casting a sympathetic glance at Alyssa's fatigued expression. "Lyse has just performed a ten-hour surgery on my brother, David. She's utterly exhausted, almost fainting after completing the surgery.""What?" Newton leaned forward i
Alyssa followed Jasper into the study. The door closed behind her with a soft click. She didn't move to switch on the lights or sit down. Instead, she stood quietly in the dim room.They faced each other, eyes locked. In the darkness, their gazes seemed brighter, charged with emotions that neither could put into words. Whatever stirred within them was tangled and silent—kept at bay by something unspoken, as if a wall had formed between heart and mouth. After a pause, Alyssa offered a faint smile. Her voice was soft, almost courteous. "Go ahead, Mr. Beckett. I won't be staying long tonight—I've made other arrangements."It was clear she didn't want to be alone in a room with him.Jasper's chest tightened, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion he couldn't define. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "You didn't vote against the motion at today's board meeting. I wanted to know… are we still on the same side?"Alyssa's gaze lowered, her voice steady and calm. "You didn't object
In the evening, Xavier drove Jasper to meet with Newton. Along the way, news broke out that Sheryl had been bailed out. Xavier slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "Damn it! Why is it so hard to get rid of that woman?" "She is Justin's right hand," Jasper said, eyes shut as he leaned back in his seat. His jaw tightened. "You could even say she knows more about his secrets than anyone. As long as she's useful, Justin won't discard her so easily. This is how he operates."Xavier shook his head, teeth gritted. "Where the hell did she even come from? When you had me investigate her, I found nothing. Her background was spotless. "What's in her past that Justin would go so far to keep it hidden? A man like him can have any woman he wants, yet he clings to her—some pretty-faced idiot who only seems to make things harder for him."Jasper's gaze turned glacial. Xavier's casual remark struck him.He was right. Justin wasn't short on capable subordinates. So why Sheryl?Was Sh
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