"At times like these, you should hold on to Alice's hand! Despite the rumors or turmoil the Harper family stirred, you mustn't let go of her hand!"Jasper was against the idea of letting that occur, and he was also not inclined to stand by and observe Alyssa being with Jameson without the capacity to intervene."Grandpa, I did say those things, and I did do those things. You can hit me."Jasper tightened his fists, his eyes turning red. "Hit me and scold me as much as you want, then rest early. It's time to let go of everything between me and Alyssa. ""Let go? You want me to let go? Then what about you? Are you going to marry that improper girl from the Harper family?" Newton's head buzzed with anger, and only with Ben's support did he manage to stand steadily."Do I have to get married? I've been married once, and that's enough. I can live without marriage. I have no interest in continuing the family line, nor do I like children."As Jasper spoke those words, an inexplicabl
"Mr. Jasper! Wait!" Ben called out to him.Jasper asked, "Do you have something else to say, Ben?""Is it really impossible for you and Ms. Alyssa anymore?"Jasper felt a stab in his heart."I don't know.""Ms. Alyssa has something on her that you don't know." Ben clenched his fist and struggled with the words.Jasper turned back with a look of intense curiosity, "What is it?""Ms. Alyssa made me promise to keep it a secret. I can't say," Ben looked conflicted. "But I hope that Ms. Alyssa can tell you herself one day."Jasper's curiosity surged.Alyssa initially hid her identity as the heiress of the Taylor family, devoting herself to him and loving him for 13 years.These once-secretive matters were enough to deliver a soul-shaking impact on him.What other secrets was she hiding from him?Could they be even more shocking than those he already knew?…Two days after the amputation surgery, David woke up.Alyssa arrived at the hospital early that day. She didn't just f
After hearing David's side of the story, Alyssa couldn't help but find it unbelievable.Setting aside Jameson's refined and elegant appearance, she doubted whether he could commit such a brutal act. Even if he wanted to deal with David, given his status, he could easily find someone else to handle it. Why would he personally get involved?She regained her composure and asserted firmly, "Mr. David, this is a grave matter, and you need concrete evidence. Furthermore, you should address these concerns with Uncle Victor and the authorities, not with me.""Ms. Alyssa, you saved me. You are my benefactor! I'm not so heartless as to stand by and watch you walk into the lion's den without knowing its inhabitants!"With anxiety and sincerity in his voice, David continued, "I know Jameson is after you, and you two appear to be close. I fear you might be blinded by him! "That man has been psychologically disturbed since childhood. His refinement is merely a façade. In truth, he's a wolf i
Alyssa remarked, "David lost a leg. He wouldn't frame you so blatantly."Through gritted teeth, Jameson explained, "David is just a pawn for Josh. He's been involved in various underhanded activities orchestrated by Josh. "David has accumulated numerous enemies in Solana City, and plenty of people would seize the opportunity to retaliate against him. Besides, what happened to him today, he brought upon himself."Then, he disclosed everything that happened at the racecourse to Alyssa."If there's anyone with sinister motives, it's David!"Alyssa stared at him calmly."Lyse, I've never given much weight to the Schmidt family. If I were to take action against them, I wouldn't resort to such crude methods. It doesn't align with my taste." Jameson adjusted his posture, raising the coffee cup and taking a sip, projecting confidence and refinement.Having forsaken his conscience to survive with his mother in Kontina for 15 years, he had become adept at putting on a performance, craf
"Got it, Jonah. You don't have to come pick me up. I'll drive back later," Alyssa said. …It was nighttime at Belbanks. A sleek black Maserati raced through the rear entrance of Heightsnew Villa, executing a stylish drift before smoothly coming to a stop in the backyard.After being absent for six months, Axel emerged from the car and headed straight for Jonah, who had been patiently waiting."Jonah! I missed you so much!""Me too."Jonah and Axel exchanged a high-five. Jonah then looked toward the tinted car window and asked, "Is Mr. Lovelace inside the car?""Exactly," Axel smirked, "He's not very cooperative.""Even the most dishonest person would probably be truthful when encountering you."Jonah's gentle eyes flashed with a trace of worry as he asked, "But you didn't harm him, did you?""In what way? Physically, no, but does emotional harm count?"Jonah was rendered speechless by Axel's reply.Axel suddenly looked pained. He exclaimed, "Damn! I need to pee! I need to
Julien's eyes were red and slightly teary as he stared at Jonah in complete astonishment.He found himself bewildered by Jonah's twisted mindset.If he didn't possess such striking looks, Julien might genuinely believe him to be a monster!"Are you in cahoots with the one who kidnapped me? Are you the kidnapper?" Julien questioned with a trembling voice.Jonah squinted, extending a gentlemanly hand toward him. "Let me introduce myself. I am Jonah Taylor, the CEO of KS Group. It's a pleasure to meet you.""KS ...?" Julien was startled, "My aunt. It's you! Are you ...""Exactly as you think." Jonah's fingers tightened, and he awkwardly smiled, "We'll shake hands after Axel unties you.""Jonah!"Axel returned in long strides, muttering, "The toilet is too far. I almost peed halfway. What's the point of having such a big house?"Jonah frowned, feeling somewhat amused. No matter how large the Taylor family's house was, it was still a cage for Axel. Just like Alyssa, he detested
In the blink of an eye, Julien's body tilted forward. He swiftly clutched onto Jonah's sturdy shoulders, finding refuge in the firm hold.Responding with quick reflexes, Jonah intervened to prevent Julien from toppling over, firmly securing him with a grip around his waist.In that moment, the duo struck a pose reminiscent of a classic romantic scene from a soap opera, leaving Axel, who stood nearby, in utter amazement."Uh, sorry about that." Julien's cheeks blushed with embarrassment. Having harbored a lot of pent-up anger, Julien found solace in the embrace, his frustration easing."No need to apologize. If anything, we should be sorry," Jonah asserted without hesitation, effortlessly lifting Julien in a princess-style embrace.The unexpected move by Jonah caught Julien off guard, causing his heart to pound loudly in his chest.Julien recognized his penchant for indulging in earthly pleasures, engaging in flirtation with handsome men, and succumbing to temptation after a few
Alyssa held Axel intimately in the living room, and Axel also embraced his sister. If they weren't siblings, others might think they were a newlywed couple cherishing their reunion."Axel, you went through a lot this time," Alyssa pouted."It's not a big deal. I just brought someone back. It's nothing exhausting," Axel replied while gently patting her head. His eyes filled with longing and tenderness. "As long as you'd be happy, I'd even kill him for you."Upon hearing that, Sean was scared out of his wits, and Silas almost spat out his tea!At this moment, Jonah descended the stairs. "He's asleep.""He's probably exhausted. Let him rest." Alyssa sighed. "I was too impatient. This might backfire. If Julien doesn't agree to help, I can't force him by threatening him.""Lyse, don't worry." Jonah sat beside her, gently encircling her shoulder with his arm. "You have us. We're here to help you with things you can't accomplish on your own.""Exactly, Lyse," Silas added in to
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