"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
"Slowly, the worst side effects would show up," explained Tristan.Alyssa came to a realization. Tristan's explanation matches the accounts of the assistant and the maid.Tristan continued, "She deserved it. If you need me to, I can send her to the afterlife with one injection."The way he suggested the idea was heartless, as though life and death meant nothing much.Alyssa was speechless at Tristan's offer. He added fearlessly, "She is the one who abused the drugs in the first place. Besides, she signed an agreement and has to be partly responsible. Look, drug-related deaths are commonplace in our industry. "We will just treat it as another medical malpractice case. The worst punishment I would face is to have my license revoked and serve a two-year sentence.""There's no need to risk your future for a bitch like Sophia Kirkman. That would be a waste," Alyssa said with a sigh. "Tristan, I assure you that I will ensure your safety when you carry out my orders. This incident wi
Jasper fixed a resentful gaze on Renee, sending a shiver down her spine. Trembling, she held her breath and cautiously explained, "Mr. Beckett, I didn't mean to do anything to you. I was worried about your health."He pressed his hands on the arms of the chair to prop himself up. When he stood up, he instantly felt the world spinning around him. The burning desire had grown inside him and spread through every cell.Breathing heavily, he sweated all over. Renee couldn't help but swoon at his frail yet sexy look.Holding onto the wall, Jasper made his way out of the main hall with much difficulty. Renee wasn't about to give up and doggedly pursued him.Tonight was her chance, and she wouldn't let it slip away. If she successfully spent the night with Jasper, not even Alyssa or Zoe could stop her from marrying him.Standing in the empty corridor, she felt emboldened and threw herself at Jasper, which only validated Preston's description of her—shameless."Mr. Beckett, you can't even
"And who is she? Alyssa Taylor?" Renee demanded to know. Her competitiveness reared its head. Sweating anxiously, she pressed, "But I thought they were divorced! They wouldn't have divorced if they still had feelings for each other.""Pfft. What do you know?" Landon chuckled and looked away. "They might be divorced, but they are still interested in each other. You can never imagine the depth of Jasper's feelings for Lyse."Even if they are divorced, and even if she marries another, no one can ever replace her in Jasper's heart."Exhausted and unsteady, Renee watched them leave. After a while, she stomped indignantly and bellowed to the air, "I don't believe you! You liar! That's nonsense!"…Landon took Jasper into his car as soon as he could. On their way, he figured that Jasper wasn't drunk, just drugged.A question remained—when was he drugged? Recalling the waiter carrying a tray with glasses of champagne, Landon noted how Renee had randomly picked two glasses. How could
Upon hearing Landon's words, Alyssa's first guess was a PTSD episode."Text me Jasper's address. I'll be there soon," said Alyssa with a frown before hanging up.Meanwhile, Julien had just finished smoking a cigarette. When he was about to get into the car, the engine revved, and the doors were locked."Hey, open the door. I need to get in," Julien shouted and yanked on the handle."I have something to tend to. Please head home yourself," Alyssa said to him, staring forward and gripping the steering wheel."Are you serious? This is Belbanks, not Solana City! Where the heck can I go?" Julien snapped helplessly. "Send me home right now!""Call Jonah. Get him to pick you up."With that, Alyssa's black sports car whizzed past Julien.…Alyssa followed the address Landon provided and arrived at Jasper's private villa in no time. She stood at the entrance with mixed feelings—frustration, grievance, and bitterness.The private villa was one of Jasper's personal assets, the most live
Frowning, Alyssa pushed the door open impatiently. To her surprise, the door was unlocked.Always skeptical and wary, Alyssa had a bad omen as she cautiously entered the living room.The villa, though moderately huge, was smaller than her Solana City residence. Despite the difference, she felt at home and cozy compared to the more opulent yet sterile Seaview Manor.She was filled with frustration at the thought."Landon Harper, you there? Landon?" she called out but was met with silence.Growing increasingly worried, she hurried upstairs, checking every room.Finally, she entered the final room, which was more humid than the others. She picked up on the masculine scent in the air and concluded that this must be Jasper's bedroom.It was a familiarity fostered after two years of marriage. Separated by a slightly ajar door, she overheard his labored breathing from within. He seemed to be in pain.Her throat tightened when she called out to him. "Jasper?"She was surprised by the
When Alyssa met Jasper's eyes, her heart raced. She noticed the vulnerability and madness in his eyes, reminiscent of two years ago when he had made love to her all night. She found herself helplessly drawn to that look."Jasper, calm down! Let me g—Mmmph—" He silenced her with a kiss, his hot lips exploring hers passionately, leaving her breathless.She couldn't even breathe properly.Desperate to take her, he seemed driven to the brink of madness by his desire.Every day without her was pure suffering. He was just a zombie with no purpose in life.Alyssa started moaning with rapid breathing and flushed skin.Quivering underneath him, she fought him by pushing against his chest, but it screamed seduction to him.In fact, whenever she showed up, even in his dreams, she was irresistibly seductive and charming.She couldn't evade his kiss. Soon, their bodies intertwined. They kissed hard and sloppily, making sounds as they went for it.His callused hand with bulging veins caress
Searching for Amber without direction would be pointless. Jasper made a swift decision to bring Alyssa back to the manor, shielding her from the relentless chill of the wind. Once inside, he immediately began organizing the search. He deployed his men and contacted Landon, requesting additional support.The two of them sat together on the couch.This time, there was no space between them. It was as though an invisible force drew them closer, their proximity feeling natural yet electric. Neither could say who had moved first.Alyssa, however, was in no mood to dwell on their closeness. Wrapped in her down jacket, she curled up on the couch, her arms hugging herself tightly. A quiet frostiness emanated from her as she sat in silence, listening to Jasper's calm and methodical calls to mobilize his team.In the past, his composed presence would have been enough to ease her mind. But now, her thoughts were a tangled mess, each one like a razor claw tearing at her heart. The pain was u
"Ms. Gillis, I've searched her thoroughly. She doesn't have anything on her." Sheryl's brows knitted in frustration. "How can that be? Where's her cell phone?" "There wasn't one." Sheryl, no longer concerned about dirtying herself, stepped forward, grabbed Amber by her hair, and forced her to meet her gaze."You bitch," Sheryl snarled. "You came to The Millennium at this hour for a reason. What did you find? Hand it over, and I might spare your worthless life!"Amber spat a mouthful of bloody saliva directly onto Sheryl's face."Fuck! You bitch!" Glaring at Amber, Sheryl rolled her sleeves up and slapped her twice in the face. Even so, it wasn't enough to quench her fury. She yelled, "Take her back!" Two of Sheryl's subordinates moved forward, dragging a limp Amber away. Sheryl's reddened eyes burned with fury as she wiped the spit off her face. She was teetering on the edge of madness."Search the area! Retrace her steps and leave no stone unturned!"…Jasper drove to
Jasper strode out of the room and hurried down the stairs, his pace so brisk that Xavier had to jog to keep up. As Jasper reached the living room, he spotted Justin sitting upright in his wheelchair, alone. Their eyes locked when Jasper was just a few steps away.Hostility flickered between their gazes.Curling his lips upward into a slight smile, Justin asked, "Jasper, heading out at this hour?"Xavier gritted his teeth, loathing the self-righteous air Justin exuded, as if he always held the upper hand. The sight made him want to charge forward and knock Justin clean off his wheelchair."It's late. Why aren't you in bed?" Jasper asked coldly, his tone as sharp as his glare. "It seems that broken body of yours is still holding up.""Jasper, you seem to be in a rush. Did something happen? Do you need my help?" Justin maintained the smile on his face, disregarding Jasper's sarcastic remark. "It's none of your business."Without another word, Jasper swept past him. Justin's
Jasper lay restrained on the bed, his body writhing violently as waves of agony crashed over him. A towel clenched between his teeth muffled his cries, though it could not silence the torment. Every inch of his skin felt as if it were being devoured by thousands of invisible ants—a relentless, gnawing pain brought on by withdrawal.He knew he could no longer rely on the medication. Time and again, the temptation clawed at him, urging him to surrender and take the easy way out. Relief was just a pill away. But Jasper's willpower, though battered, refused to shatter. Anne's words echoed in his mind, a guiding light in the darkness. She had always taught him to be a righteous man—one with a clear conscience. Curling into himself, Jasper shut his bloodshot eyes. He couldn't disappoint Anne. He couldn't let down those who believed in him. He had to resist the dark side. Outside the room, Xavier glanced at his wristwatch. Judging the timing to be right, he pushed the door open and l
"How about now? Is Ms. Altman at home?" Alyssa asked urgently."She isn't," Clark replied. "She drove out the back gate alone around 11:00 pm. Our security personnel stopped her then, but she said she was just going out for some fresh air because she had trouble sleeping. She promised she wouldn't be long, but it's strange—she hasn't returned even now."Alyssa's ears began to ring, her heart sinking like a stone.When she ended the call, her nightgown clung to her skin, drenched in cold sweat. Her trembling hand gripped the phone tightly.She thought of calling Jonah, but he was still searching for Julien in Mosgravia. He wouldn't be able to return in time. Silas wasn't home tonight; he was likely with Rose. Besides, he was more of an academic than a fighter—not someone who could help in a crisis. Getting him out of bed in the middle of the night couldn't possibly solve any of their problems. Axel had returned to his organization, leaving Cyrus as the only one accessible who mi
Amber's eyes reddened as she darted toward the trapdoor in The Millennium, tears streaming down her face.Remy had let her go. He actually spared her! Didn't this prove that he was Damien? That his true nature lingered, even if his memories of the past had been lost?Hope and excitement bubbled within her as she ran. She had to reach Alyssa immediately and share this evidence—this incredible news!Emerging from the trapdoor, Amber navigated the tangled paths among the weeds on the mountain behind The Millennium.Suddenly, she froze. Her breath hitched. Beams of white light shone from all directions, focusing on her. The cold, unyielding spotlights told her everything—she was surrounded, the target of an ambush. Amber's heart pounded in her chest. Cold sweat slicked her palms as her fingers clenched tightly around her dagger. The veins on the back of her hand throbbed with adrenaline.Six assassins in black emerged from the shadows, their flashlights cutting through the gl
Amber glared at Remy through her bloodshot eyes, thrusting her gleaming blade toward his chest. In her early days of being Jameson's follower, the first lesson drilled into her was how to kill quickly and efficiently. Refinement wasn't necessary—only results mattered. Yet, despite mastering the techniques, she had never put them into practice. Deep down, Amber feared the sight of blood and loathed the idea of taking a life.And now, of all people, it was Remy forcing her to cross that line.The blade's tip hovered mere inches from Remy's heart when hesitation gripped her. Axel's voice echoed in her mind, raw with emotion. "Amber, I keep feeling that Remy is my fifth brother, Damien. We miss him… We want him to come home!"Her pupils dilated. The blade wavered, its deadly intent dissipating.That single moment of doubt was all Remy needed. With a calm, calculated motion, he seized her wrist and twisted it sharply.Amber gasped in pain, her grip faltering as the blade clattered
The password to Jameson's room was Alyssa's birthday. Jameson had always believed himself to be a devoted man, taking pride in that notion. Yet, in Amber's eyes, his devotion was nothing more than a pathetic joke—a sentiment she couldn't help but detest.Taking a steadying breath, Amber began rummaging through the drawers and shelves with swift precision.Years of observation had taught her that Jameson had hidden several secret compartments in this room, places meant to conceal vital information. Unless Jameson or Carl disclosed their existence, even the police might not have uncovered them.After what felt like an eternity, sweat beading on her forehead, Amber discovered a hidden compartment beneath a floor sculpture.As she pried the brick loose, her breath hitched. Inside the compartment lay a waterproof plastic bag containing a document and a USB drive.Amber retrieved the document. Her heart raced as she realized its contents—a research report from Mosgravia's RC Biotech
Ever since getting together with Axel, Amber had lived each day in bliss. Yet, when Winston assured her that he truly accepted her and approved of her marriage to Axel, that bliss reached its peak. For so long, Amber had struggled with feelings of inferiority, never truly believing she deserved Axel's love. Deep down, she had resolved to step away if Winston disapproved or insisted Axel marry a woman from a reputable family—a match more fitting of his status.She wouldn't have hesitated to leave if it meant sparing Winston and Axel any conflict. Amber loved Axel wholeheartedly and was willing to sacrifice everything for him.But instead of rejection, she found warmth. The Taylor family embraced her as one of their own, showing her kindness and understanding rather than disdain for her past.She could never repay such compassion. "Winston… Thank you. Thank you…" Amber's tear-filled eyes glistened, their brightness undimmed despite all the darkness she had endured. Winston s