"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
When Alyssa was married to Jasper, she'd discreetly put on his shirt at home to revel in his scent and warmth. Even now, she felt the same as two years ago.Since Jasper wouldn't wake up anytime soon, Alyssa went to get some water. She planned to leave as though nothing had happened after she drank and rested.Tiptoeing to the pantry on the second floor for iced water, she wondered if Jasper's earlier behavior in bed was due to prolonged abstinence. He seemed thirsty and aggressive.She was embarrassed at the thought. Even ice-cold water couldn't soothe her burning throat.As she had always been curious about the private villa, she took the chance to tour it. She checked out the kitchen, the garden, and the living room. They were carefully decorated and felt homey.Thinking back to Liana's provocation, she wondered if the villa was truly Jasper's gift to Liana. Was it true that the villa was Jasper and Liana's home?Upon realizing that she had made love to Jasper at a villa that
The frame slipped from Alyssa's hand, crashing onto the ground and shattering into pieces. Shards scattered in all directions, cutting her ankle, and a few drops of blood oozed from the tiny cut."Why are you here?" Jasper's low voice pierced the air, causing her to tremble.Without turning around, she coldly replied, "Sorry to disturb you. I'll leave soon."Jasper stared at her figure, draped in his shirt beneath the soft, warm light. Her curves were vaguely visible under the oversized shirt, a charming sight that tempted him to pull her into an embrace.He swallowed hard. His throat was dry.Just moments ago, he woke up drenched in sweat, reflexively reaching for Alyssa, only to find the bed empty. He felt relief, spotting her clothes and heels on the ground, knowing she was somewhere in the villa. He got out of bed to look for her.The memories of their kisses and the collision of bodies lingered in his mind and heart, but he was unsure how things unfolded. Did he force hims
Jasper insisted, "I will take responsibility for you. I will.""I don't need you to do that. Just let go of me," Alyssa snapped, her warm tears drenching his shoulders. "Jasper Beckett, I hate you so. Don't touch me!""I won't touch any woman except for you," Jasper said in a shaky voice."If you wanted to take responsibility for me, why did you divorce me? Why didn't you take responsibility for me when we did it the first time?""What?" Jasper was taken aback and puzzled."You pushed me away when you should have taken responsibility for me, but you keep bugging me when I don't need you to," she seethed and bit hard on his arm when he was distracted. She so wished she could tear him into pieces.Feeling the pain, Jasper finally released her. She broke free of his arms and escaped from the study, leaving him frozen in shock as he replayed her words just now.His chest tightened when he recalled the pristine bedsheet. Knowing that Alyssa was a conservative woman, she had not sle
Jonah swung open the car door and wedged himself into Alyssa's car, scanning for any fractures on her arms and legs."I'm fine. I'm fine, Jonah," she mumbled, tears welling in her eyes and her face drained of color.Jonah stared at her in shock, knowing something grave must have happened. Knowing Alyssa, she wasn't one to cry. After all, she had worked on a battlefield. She wouldn't be fazed by a car crash.Whatever had happened must have been serious."Looks like some minor injuries on the skin, but we need to get you to the hospital for a checkup and a CT scan for any concussions," Julien suggested sternly, a departure from his usual cheeky demeanor.Frowning, Jonah gently lifted Alyssa in his arms and settled her into his Rolls-Royce.Sean arrived at that moment, his expression filled with concern as he saw Alyssa in Jonah's arms. He gasped, "Ms. Alyssa, are you alright?""Sean, take care of the car crash. I'm bringing her to the hospital," Jonah instructed Sean before slippi
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