"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
"Hey, sweetheart, what's on your mind? Your eyes are wandering."Axel noticed Alyssa's vacant gaze and reached out and waved before her eyes."Axel, I ..."Alyssa pondered the resemblance to the woman who bore a striking likeness to her, causing her to hesitate before uttering her thoughts."What's wrong, Lyse? You've always been straightforward. Why are you hesitating now?" Axel asked in surprise."It's nothing."That woman was only a chance encounter. Besides, she was far away in Mosgravia.Even if she had a slight doubt in her heart, she couldn't investigate it through that woman. She could only investigate through Zoe.However, delving into these matters seemed futile.Jasper had explicitly stated in front of Newton that their relationship was a thing of the past. Any possibility of rekindling their connection was long gone.Despite this explicit declaration, she still found herself hesitating and was at a loss. Alyssa sneered quietly, curling her lips into a chilly smi
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
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,