"Sorry." Amber's face turned red, and her consciousness blurred."I told you, with this face of yours, even in Solana City, it should only appear at The Millennium at night! You're my carefully crafted trump card, my possession."You do what I tell you to do, and you don't have the qualifications to show off, let alone to be arrogant!"Jameson's eyes were full of malice. He increased the pressure of his grip on her neck as if he wanted to strangle her to death. Sitting in the passenger seat, Carl saw that Amber was about to collapse and hurriedly pleaded for her, "Mr. Schmidt, Ms. Altman can't take it anymore! Please spare her this time for her loyalty and devotion to you over the years!"Although it's her fault for violating your orders by sneaking back, isn't it to see you? Everything she did was for you. Please spare her this time."Jameson coldly stared at Amber's beautiful face and exhaled a breath before loosening his grip on her.Amber was soaked in sweat at this moment,
For a moment, Rose was both surprised and embarrassed. She tightly pressed her lips together, not daring to make a sound.One of the foreigners challenged Silas in Furancian. "Who are you? Get out of the way! This has nothing to do with you!""If I didn't see this, then it has nothing to do with me. But since I did, I'll take things into my own hands," Silas replied in fluent Furancian with a sly smile."Damn! This guy's Furancian was surprisingly good!" Rose was secretly surprised.What kind of creatures were Alyssa's brothers? Not only were they hot, but they were also so intelligent.Moreover, Silas looked somewhat sexy, speaking Furancian. Rose couldn't help but blush."Who are you?" the other one said in Vitelian, his expression gradually becoming grim. "Get lost!""I'm your father," Silas answered in Vitelian as well.Suddenly, his face turned stern. "Don't challenge my patience. Let her go!""Guards!" a man roared, and several men in black suits quickly ran over from th
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed.A miserable scream came from behind as the bodyguard, who attempted to harm Silas, was hit in the head by a trash can that had suddenly flown over. With that, he crashed heavily to the ground.This scene left everyone else dumbfounded. They actually withdrew their aggressiveness, and none dared to approach anymore."Silas! Why is your reaction so slow?"Silas abruptly turned around to see Axel, hands casually in his trench coat pockets, shaking his head as he walked toward them.The trash can that this guy had kicked over just now had genuinely scared them.Still gripping Silas' suit jacket, Rose slowly opened her reddened eyes. As she raised her pale face, she locked eyes with him."Are you ... okay?"Silas lowered his eyes in response to her passionate gaze. Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat, then pounded like a crazy drum."I'm fine. Let's get out of here.""Get out? You punched our boss. None of you will get out of here!" The bodyguards surr
"My mother's first pregnancy was quadruplets, and I'm the second oldest. I resemble my eldest brother a lot. Axel looks like my third brother. They both take after my mother."Normally, Silas would never discuss family matters with others.However, for some reason, he wanted to satisfy her curiosity. It happened to be a way to divert her attention. She was truly anxious and nervous earlier."Oh ... so it seems Madam looks half like your mother and half like Mr. Taylor."Rose's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Madam really has inherited the essence of both parents."Hearing that, Silas couldn't help but smile. Suddenly, he noticed that Rose was very thin, even thinner than Alyssa.Her beautiful shoulders protruded, making her look like the perfect model for all clothes. However, there was no shortage in areas where there should be flesh.For some reason, Silas felt a twinge of tenderness. He gradually tightened his grip on her shoulders."Who were those two men who bullied you? W
On the other hand, Axel had already taken care of the two foreigners, including the group of weak bodyguards.He beat them up and locked them in the restroom of a private room, hanging a sign outside that said, "Do Not Disturb".They were all too weak for him, not even enough to warm up.Since Axel couldn't afford to create too much commotion, he quickly ended the fight. After all, he was in Solana City and not abroad. He had to be cautious, given his status.After leaving the nightclub, Axel received a call from Silas."It's all settled, Silas. You can relax and enjoy some alone time with your girlfriend. They won't bother you again," he said, yawning."She's not my girlfriend. Stop talking nonsense!" Silas sounded annoyed, with a hint of frustration."Tsk, tsk, do you think I'm dumb or blind? The guy who cares less about everything suddenly turns into a hero tonight. The girl knows your name and even threw herself into your arms. You two are obviously more than friends."Axel
When Rose heard that, her tense heart finally eased a bit.After years of companionship, Alyssa was no longer just the mentor who brought her a glimmer of hope in adversity. She was not only a friend but also a family. Rose didn't want to make Alyssa worry or cause her trouble.Just then, Rose's phone rang.She glanced at the screen, and her eyes darkened. As she clenched the phone, her knuckles turned white.Seeing her mood turn low, Silas tactfully exited the room and closed the door.However, he lingered nearby, eavesdropping on the conversation.He knew it wasn't the best thing to do, but for some reason, he felt a strong desire to care for her.Besides, he could tell that, from the nightclub onward, Rose hadn't told him a single truth, no matter how he asked. As a prosecutor for many years, he had developed sharp insight. So, her guarded thoughts were transparent to him.In the room, Rose hesitated for a while before reluctantly answering the call."Dad.""What happened
"I won't go back, and I won't meet with them tomorrow either! Do you know that I was almost—" Rose choked down her sobs at this point.There was a sudden silence on the other end.After a while, there was a change in George's attitude. His tone softened, but his words were more cutting."Rose, I know you're in a difficult situation. But at the moment, our family is facing difficulties. As a daughter of the Emerson family, sacrificing a bit for the family is reasonable, isn't it?"Your sister is about to be engaged to the second son of the Dalton family in Northuis. She has sacrificed a lot for our family, too."Rose's eyes turned crimson instantly as she asked word by word, "Did you know that those two men had evil intentions toward me from the beginning? Is that so?"George remained silent."You knew everything and still let me meet them. Is this how you put your daughter in danger?" Rose cried out in anger and frustration, tears streaming down her face.Silas didn't catch all
Rose's sudden cardiac arrest was no small matter. Silas took her to the hospital and notified Alyssa to come and visit.He knew his little sister's temperament. Keeping this a secret any longer would lead her to disown him as her brother.Early the next morning, Alyssa and Sean rushed back from Belbanks to the hospital where Rose was hospitalized in Solana City."Silas, what happened? How could Rose have a heart attack?" Alyssa was in distress, tears swirling in her eyes."The doctor said Rose has a weak constitution and a heart condition, but it's not too severe."A heart condition?Alyssa shivered, and Sean hurriedly supported her trembling figure.She felt awful for Rose.Not only was Rose her apprentice, but she was also her best friend. Yet she didn't even know about her physical condition.What a disappointment she was in her role as a mentor!Recalling Rose and her family's phone call last night, Silas clenched his fists silently.His voice was hoarse as he explained,
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