It was as though Renee was nothing more than a pile of garbage at his feet.Renee was completely disoriented, kneeling on the ground and forgetting to stand up.No compare, no despair.This comparison had made her experience extreme despair."Ms. Alyssa, is there something you want to talk about?" Jasper approached Alyssa. His gaze was profound, and his voice was husky."Yes. Can we talk privately?" Alyssa's eyes were calm. Though she was not loud, it was enough for everyone around to hear.Without hesitation, Jasper replied, "Sure."The two left together under the watchful eyes of the crowd.Behind, there were only sounds of surprised sighs, one after another.They all felt that the two were truly a perfect couple. They were so well-matched that it drew envy.…Alyssa and Jasper arrived at the hotel's back garden.The cool night breeze scattered her luscious black hair into the air, creating a scene as mesmerizing as a painting.The two fell into silence. It seemed like t
Even without profanities, Jasper's words were akin to a sharp blade, leaving Alyssa feeling wounded."Jasper, I've never trampled on your dignity. Wasn't it you who came to me every time after the divorce?"Alyssa's eyes turned slightly red, but she defiantly wore a smirk that could infuriate anyone. She looked beautiful, yet her demeanor only made hearts ache for her."Your dignity is something you didn't want yourself. Now you blame me? Do you have no shame?"She shouldn't have come. She shouldn't have cared about him.If only she had known this would happen.Alyssa thought that Jasper was a scumbag and he deserved whatever that came his way. Suddenly, Jasper's breathing halted, and he felt a strong dizziness rush to his head. His figure swayed slightly."Hey! What are you doing?"Before the words could settle, a stone hit Jasper right on the back of his head.Jasper felt a sharp pain, and his brows furrowed.Meanwhile, Julien had already walked over briskly, reaching out
"Dr. Lovelace is a renowned neurologist in Mosgravia. I specifically brought him to Solana City to treat the aftereffects for you.""Go back. I don't need it," Jasper replied, looking down. He refused outright. "Jasper, do you think I'm negotiating with you?" Alyssa's eyes widened."Do you think I'm negotiating with you, Alyssa?"Jasper locked eyes with Alyssa. His gaze appeared chillingly indifferent, as if veiled by a layer of ice. "My affairs have nothing to do with you. You don't need to care.""You … !""If you want to continue attending the party, move to the banquet hall. If you only came to talk to me about this, leave with your people."After saying that, Jasper turned and left expressionlessly without any hesitation or delay.He acted as if he and Alyssa had never met."Asshole! Do you want to die?" Alyssa shouted at his retreating figure, but he didn't stop."Jasper! Stop right there! Jasper!"Jasper gradually walked away, his figure disappearing into the night.
Renee hid in the car, sobbing. Her eyeliner and mascara were smudged. She looked utterly pitiful."Enough! What are you crying for? Look at you, so pathetic!" Dominic was furious."I made such a fool of myself in front of so many people. What's wrong with shedding a few tears?"Renee miserably wiped her tears. "Mr. Beckett is really too much. I fell right in front of him. Shouldn't he help me? How could he turn a blind eye?"He can only see that bitch, Alyssa! His soul is with her!"When Dominic recalled Jasper's intense gaze and brazen stare at Alyssa, he was infuriated."Dad, Mr. Beckett still has feelings for Alyssa. What should I do?" Renee asked tearfully."What feelings? They wouldn't have gotten divorced if he truly had feelings for her. If they're divorced, it means he couldn't go on being married to her even for a day."Dominic sighed, his gaze dark. "Right now, if you want to get close to Jasper, Alyssa isn't the only obstacle. There's also that girl from the Harper f
"There wasn't much to talk about in the first place." Jasper sat heavily on the sofa. He picked up a glass and downed the champagne in one gulp.Thoughts of Alyssa left him feeling irritated. He felt suffocated. Jasper's eyes then turned red from the strain. "You really can't say anything nice. Lyse came to see you, meaning she's not angry anymore. Why didn't you seize the opportunity to win back her favor?"Do you really want to be my brother-in-law? I represent the Harper family as the first to oppose you marrying into the family." Landon widened his eyes, acting all anxious."Landon, do you think I'm the only one who has made mistakes?" Jasper's hand clenching the glass revealed taut veins, as if he were suppressing some tormenting emotion."What do you mean? Should Lyse be the one to be blamed?""I don't know.""Jasper, with all the sacrifices Lyse has made for you, you have no right to blame her or be mad at her. If you truly love her, everything she does is right. Don't t
Jasper didn't bother to look at Renee. As he drank his champagne, he said nonchalantly, "It's okay. I didn't mind.""Renee, you can't be so careless. You're a daughter of the Taylor family. How can you behave like this?"Dominic sternly criticized his daughter. "You should learn from Lyse. People say she looks down on you. As your father, even I can't look at you now.""Dad, I was wrong. I'll learn from Lyse."Renee gently bit her lip, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. The act of coquetry was just like a switch for her. "I think ... as long as I work hard, Lyse will eventually recognize me, right? She won't look down on me like before.""Look down on you?"Jasper's eyes darkened, and he quirked an eyebrow. "I've been married to Alyssa. I know what kind of person she is."When she was with me, she never looked down on anyone, not even a servant in my family. How could she look down on her own cousin?"Landon nodded beside them.Though Jasper spoke harshly and acted r
"Ms. Renee, you should know I'm your cousin's ex-husband." Jasper's profile was like a sharp blade, possessing a striking and awe-inspiring beauty.He finally took the initiative to talk to her, but it was about Alyssa."Yes, I know," Renee replied weakly."So, I think you should be mindful of your image. When Alyssa is around, it would be best if you refrain from appearing before me."However, Renee seemed to be under a spell. She misunderstood the meaning of his words. Blushing, she asked hesitantly, "Does that mean ... when she isn't around, I can—""I believe in other instances, the likelihood of our paths crossing is slim. That's why I didn't bother mentioning it. Don't read too much into it," Jasper coolly remarked, lifting his champagne and draining it in one go.Jasper's words left Renee feeling humiliated, as if she had been entirely dismissed.Over the years, she had been quite successful in the realm of love, with countless men pursuing her relentlessly. This was the
Two figures emerged from the lounge. They were Sophia's assistant and a maid. Alyssa hurriedly hid behind the pillar with Julien and peeked at them.The maid grumbled in a hushed voice, "What's wrong with Madam Sophia? She's been acting weird lately.""Right? She was fine when she arrived. But she suddenly felt cold and asked for a jacket. When I handed it to her, she scolded me for giving her a thick jacket because she felt hot," the assistant said, looking grumpy."That's not all. She's been alternating between feeling cold and hot, and her appetite has increased!" the maid added.She then checked her surroundings before cautiously whispering, "Once, I found her in the kitchen by the fridge past midnight, shoving cake in her face!""That's impossible! She doesn't take desserts to maintain her figure.""God knows? She kept stuffing her mouth with cake. I was so terrified to see that."Alyssa and Julien overheard the conversation and frowned at the same time.The maid inched cl
"Jas…"Alyssa looked at Jasper with an unfocused gaze. Her breaths were shallow, and she was slipping in and out of consciousness. Mentally, she was confused. "Yes, it's me—Jasper!"Jasper's heart clenched as he saw the color drain from her face. Her body trembled uncontrollably, fragile as a leaf caught in the wind. She resembled the kitten he had saved as a child—frozen and alone in the alley that bitter winter night. A deep sorrow flooded his chest."Jas… per…" Alyssa murmured his name, her voice strained, her tongue numb from the cold.A faint, mocking smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "It seems… like I am about… to freeze to death… How could he be here… He will not come back… He doesn't want me anymore…" Alyssa's vision blurred as her eyelids grew heavy. She began to lean, her body sagging to one side."Alyssa! Stay awake!" Jasper's heart was pierced, the pain unbearable as he saw the denial in her eyes. He forced himself to pu
Elias frowned deeply; his worry etched onto his face. "We've been shouting Ms. Alyssa's name the whole way. With so many of us calling out, she should've heard us by now if she were nearby!"In a deep voice, Jasper said, "The wind is too strong, and then there's the heavy snowfall. Our voices are being drowned out. Lyse might not hear us at all."Lyse. Her nickname slipped from his lips before he even realized it."I'm just afraid she's injured—or worse, fainted. If she blacks out in this cold…" Elias trailed off, his voice heavy with dread. "On a day like this, she won't survive long. She'll freeze to death."The group exchanged uneasy glances, the reality of his words tightening their chests.It wasn't that Elias was being a doomsayer. Rather, this was the cruel reality that might actually happen. Crater Mountain claimed lives every year. Danger lurked unpredictably in the woods on the mountain—anything could unfold."Let's split up," Jasper commanded, his eyes fixed on t
The snow was falling heavily, and the chilling winds howled through the night.Remy had no car, so he trudged through the snow alone, each step more exhausting than the last.His thoughts were consumed with Alyssa—was she still alive? In danger? And Jasper's unrelenting resolve to reach her, even after being shot and drenched in blood.Remy pressed his calloused, trembling hand to his chest. His heart hammered in his ribcage erratically.A sharp, searing pain shot through his temples, blurring his vision. He collapsed to his knees in the snow, his body racked with agony. The pain surged deep within him, and his eyes felt like they were going to burst from their sockets. It was unbearable.His breath came in ragged gasps. His hands scrambled for the necklace hanging from his neck—inside it was a hidden medicine box.Justin had told him that the medication in there could calm him down and relieve him of any pain. It would be able to save his life. But in his desperate haste, the
As subtle as Remy's expressions were, Jasper still noticed them. A slight twinkle flashed across his eyes. He did not have the time to continue entertaining Remy. He clenched his teeth, turned around, and started running toward Crater Mountain. Nevertheless, he had barely taken a few steps when gunshots were fired at his feet. Even so, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead and did not stop. Just then, another gunshot rang out. It wasn't until a bullet hit him in his right shoulder that the pain caused him to stumble. He almost fell to the ground but forced himself to stay on his feet. It was fortunate that he was shot in his right shoulder this time. After all, his left shoulder could not be injured any further. Otherwise, his left shoulder would be left in complete disability."If you take another step, the next shot will be in your left leg," Remy warned mockingly. Yet, his gaze was firm and fiery. "Jasper, I don't suppose you want to end up like your older brother, living in
A chill went down Jasper's spine. At that moment, staring down the barrel of the gun, one thought consumed him. It was the only thought that mattered—he had to stay alive to meet Alyssa!Jasper's mind raced. His gun was hidden under the driver's seat of his usual car, but today, he had taken a different sports car—one that wasn't equipped with a weapon. Panic gripped him for a split second before his instincts kicked in.The soldier within him stirred. Without warning, he jerked the steering wheel, ramming his car into Remy's.One of Remy's headlights was taken out and left rolling across the snow. All of a sudden, this prideful man was overwhelmed with anger. His eyes reddened with a strong sense of competitiveness, compelling him to pull the trigger. A shot rang out. The bullet sliced through the cold air, shattering Jasper's car window.From the very beginning, Remy hadn't intended to take Jasper's life. All Justin told him to do was to stop Jasper from meeting with Alys
"Jasper, you are such a jerk. If anything bad happens to Ms. Alyssa, you will surely regret it. You will live in regret your entire life!" Sean yelled. …The temperature tonight was -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The snowstorm in the woods on the mountain was getting stronger and stronger. The winds were freezing and bone-piercing as they blew against Alyssa's face. Trees swayed dramatically in the screeching winds, creating an inexplicable creepy atmosphere that added a feeling of desolation to Alyssa's sorrowful and depressive mood. She braved the bone-piercing winds and faced the heavy snowfall. With the help of her trekking pole, she plodded forward one step at a time. She did not have a destination in mind. She did not know where she was heading. Her heart had shattered, and she was beside herself. The decreasing temperatures discouraged her and made her lose all her motivation. For someone who had lost their willpower, being in the woods under extreme weather conditions wa
"Mr. Jasper, why do you say so?" Sheryl lifted her head and looked into Jasper's reddened eyes. She furrowed her brows and laughed out loud. "White Dove is from Solana City. This is also something that I wasn't able to predict. If I had known, I wouldn't have gotten you to make a trip here in vain, would I?" Sheryl was no longer that conniving bitch who used to act coy. Now, she had a powerful person backing her up. Jasper's violent rage did not scare her at all. "Why the hell didn't you say anything earlier?" Xavier marched forward furiously. He was even more inclined to serve her a slap. "Did you know that Mr. Beckett had an important date with Madam today? He only rushed her because of your stupid lead! Right now, you're telling us that White Dove isn't in Skydon but Solana City? What the heck are you scheming? Were you trying to ruin Mr. Beckett and Madam's date intentionally?" "Madam? Haven't Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa broken up? Is it right for you to be referring to her
The skies started to turn dark. Alyssa's dark hair was covered in a layer of snow. As she stood alone at the foot of the majestic mountain, she looked tiny, fragile, and desolate. "Ms. Alyssa, it's snowing. Heavy snowfall is forecasted tonight." Elias walked to Alyssa's side. Noticing the redness on her face due to the cold and the dull look in her eyes, he had a moment of realization. He couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness within him. "It's getting late. I suppose something came up for Mr. Beckett, and he's unable to make it." "Why didn't he inform me if that is the case?" Alyssa mumbled in a low voice as she gazed toward the darkness. She choked back on her tears so softly that her grievance couldn't really be heard through her voice. Elias slapped himself on his forehead. "Ah, perhaps you didn't manage to receive Mr. Beckett's message? The reception at the foot of the mountain isn't quite stable. You might have missed it. Would you like to come to my office? You'l
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