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
Cornelius had roped Landon into a meeting at the Harper Group building. However, midway through the discussion, Landon's phone rang with urgency—it was Jasper, insisting on an immediate meetup at Jasper's villa by Phoenix Lake.Due to the urgent nature of Jasper's call, Landon left the meeting under everyone's scrutiny and raced to the villa."What the hell?" Before entering the villa, Landon observed a plume of smoke on top of the structure like an impending volcanic explosion. Turning pale, he hurried into the villa and found Jasper burning stuff in the backyard.Standing by a metal container, Jasper appeared pale and troubled. He bathed in the glow of the flames in the container, resembling a solitary statue amid the remnants of a war.Alarmed by the chaotic scene, Landon approached him. "Jasper, what's going on? What are you burning?"When Landon spoke, Jasper tossed another item into the fire. Landon took a good look and realized it was a photo of Jasper with Liana.Jasper q
"Jasper!" screamed Landon, who tried to help Jasper up from the ground. "What's wrong? Why are you trembling like crazy? Is it cold for you? Jasper?""Landon, do you know that …" Jasper clenched his fists with a broken look in his teary eyes. "... the most hurtful thing for Alyssa is the memories of me and Liana hurting her. I knew it was over between me and Alyssa when she saw the photos of me and Liana. We're done.""Who said it was over?" Landon yelped, feeling sorry for Jasper, who was suffering from a heartbreak.He blamed himself, "This is all my fault! You are so busy, not to mention you're still sick. You don't have the time to dispose of the villa at all. It's my fucking fault! I'll go to Lyse right now and clear things up!"Jasper stopped him and shook his head with a bitter smile. "It all started because of me. What's the point of explaining it to her? That will not change the fact that I've hurt her in the past.""Jasper," Landon gasped as he fought back tears.No one
"Landon!" Lauren threw herself into Landon's arms when he came home. She wrapped her limbs around him like an adorable koala."It's 'darling,'" Landon gently corrected her.Blushing, she obediently called out to him, "Darling.""That's right. Darling, I'll give you a kiss," he replied and gave her a loud kiss on the lips while touching her backside with a hand.After a cozy cuddle in the living room, Landon led Lauren to the bedroom, where he began to undress her and led her to the bath.She wrapped her arms around his neck and protested, "I'll bathe on my own.""How tiring is that? I'll give you a hand," he teased her with a cheeky grin."Don't. It's tiring to take a bath with you because you'll be all over me.""Hm, don't you like that?" Landon raised a brow playfully."I like it," Lauren admitted, her blush deepening.Landon, who was so exhausted that he couldn't keep his eyes open, felt invigorated and aroused upon seeing his lovely partner.Soaking in the hot bath, he
Lauren suddenly commented, "Alyssa slept with Jasper before."Landon, caught by surprise, stared at her in bewilderment. "What do you mean?"Lauren bit her lips and whispered with a frown, "It happened about two years ago. One night, I wandered around my home because I couldn't sleep. "I saw Alyssa entering Jasper's bedroom. At that time, Jasper didn't like her much, and they rarely shared a bed. Most of the time, they slept in separate rooms."Alyssa suffered a lot in the three years she was married to Jasper. I could tell that she loved him, but she didn't dare to get closer to him. She could only stay by his side quietly. At night, when Jasper was not home, she would lie in his bed, wear his shirt, and use his cologne, but he never found out about that."She loved him very much. She was willing to humble herself for him. I felt sorry for her."Even Landon sympathized with poor Alyssa, who had given her heart to Jasper. A farewell wasn't the most painful thing in love—an unreq
Alyssa was admitted to a VIP room at Taylor General Hospital. Connected to an IV, she felt utterly drained but far from drowsy.Jonah sat beside her, carefully tending to the wound on her ankle while resting her leg on his knee. Alyssa, finally sensing the pain, frowned in silence.Jonah inquired, "Lyse, you weren't at your place in Solana City last night. You didn't come home to Belbanks either. Where did you go?"His hand trembled slightly as he spoke. Detecting her silence, he pondered, "Were you with Jasper?"Jonah always approached the topic of Jasper cautiously, knowing it was a sensitive spot for Alyssa. He added, "Julien mentioned you brought him to meet Jasper, but it didn't go well. He also mentioned you received a call and left. Did you meet Jasper afterward?"Alyssa finally cast him a hollow glance and croaked, "Jonah, I hate myself. I feel so shameless …""Silly thing. What are you talking about? You should have self-esteem," Jonah replied, his heart bleeding for Aly
The Taylor siblings were all present out of concern for Alyssa. Liam was the only one absent, being in the military."Jonah, why did Lyse have an accident out of the blue?" Tatiana gasped, tears brimming in her eyes.Feeling bad, Sean wanted to hug Tatiana, but he knew his place as a secretary. It would be inappropriate to do so in front of the other Taylor siblings.He brushed away his thoughts, but his passionate gaze lingered on Tatiana.Perhaps a man of his standing was only good enough to stand guard for Tatiana."Right, Jonah. Lyse is an excellent driver. Her skills are as good as mine. There's no reason she'd ram into someone's car. By right, she would have been the one who speeds on the roads," Axel said in confusion.On Axel's way to the hospital, he was gravely concerned by Alyssa's condition, which was rare for someone who had never flinched at the gunpoint of criminals on his missions.Huddled in the corridor, Silas and Cyrus cast worried glances at Jonah. The air wa
Jonah's gaze burned with a mix of longing, sorrow, and something deeply affectionate. The world swam back into focus as Julien looked at Jonah. Without preamble, he asked, "Are you new? How much do you charge per night?"Light-headed and grinning, Julien reached out a hand, his fingers brushing softly against Jonah's cheek. "You're pretty good-looking," he said, his voice slurred. Then his expression shifted. "Why do you… look so much like someone I hate with every fiber of my being?"Jonah's heart clenched. Even so, he slid his arms around Julien's waist. Trembling, he pulled Julien into his arms. "I'm new here. Could you help me meet my target tonight, Mr. Lovelace?"Julien's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Jonah. Jonah's eyes teared up as he held Julien's waist tightly. "I promise you won't be disappointed," he said, his voice deep. Watching from the shadows below the stage, Evan nearly gagged at Jonah's sultry tone. Was this really the Judas he knew? The man sounded downri
The bar was alive with striking lights and thundering music, and the air was thick with the scent of tobacco and alcohol. The atmosphere was one of moral decay—corrupt, degrading, and vile. "Where's Julien?" Jonah's voice cut through the noise, his tone icy and sharp. When Jonah stepped inside, the eyes of several men turned toward him, their gazes filled with illicit intent."Why, hello there. Are you here alone? Are you feeling lonely?" A sexy man sauntered over, draping himself over Jonah's shoulders. He let his hands linger with a playful squeeze. "If you're bored, I'd be happy to keep you company." Jonah's expression darkened. His hands trembled, veins bulging with barely contained rage. Suddenly, Evan burst through the crowd, his face twisting in alarm at the sight of Jonah surrounded by a swarm of predatory men. Evan yelled, "Don't touch him!" A heavy thump reverberated through the room. Gasps erupted as people scrambled back.The man who had draped himself over
Rafe stated, "But Beckett Group is in the middle of a storm right now. If I insisted on giving your corporation the project, my superiors would investigate me. I wouldn't be able to escape unscathed!""If you're investigated, I'll make sure you can still live a life of luxury—even if you lose your job." Justin's tone darkened. "But if you turn against me, you won't just suffer a few losses. You'll lose everything."Under the dim moonlight, Justin fiddled with his antique tea cup, his gaze narrowing. "You've worked so hard to get to where you are. Are you prepared to lose it all?"After ending the call, Justin turned to Remy, who stood quietly at the side. "Sheryl is still being detained. She can't be bailed out for another two days. I need someone to watch over the research lab. You'll handle that."Remy was taken aback. "I failed my last mission. Aren't you going to punish me?"Justin's smile was cold and insincere. "It wasn't your fault. You were ambushed. If not for that, I tru
Remy pursed his lips, bending down to pick up the fallen poker card. It was the King of Spades—an entry pass to Kings' Club. "My attacker was…" Remy's pupils constricted as he tightened his grip on the card. "It can only be that dear uncle of mine, always claiming to see me as his own son." Justin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "He's trying to get rid of my right-hand man, taking advantage of my internal feud with Jasper. Weakening me is just his first step toward gaining control over me."He's been a fugitive ever since his successful prison break, never returning to Cyrris after receiving his life sentence. His power base remains in Kontina. "I'm the last surviving Dutton. The Dutton Group, as a cover, has declared bankruptcy and severed all ties with the country. "My dear uncle has taken a huge risk just to target me. He sent his men to attack you in Solana City. What a delightful surprise. It seems he truly doesn't trust me, his only remaining family."Remy lowere
The hospital ward grew heavy with silence. Mandy and Neil stared at Alyssa, stunned beyond words. "M-Ms. Alyssa, you knew that man was Mr. Damien?" Neil asked, disbelief etched into his voice. "Yes." Alyssa's reply was quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "We found out when Cyrus took Damien's cigarette butt for a paternity test."Mandy approached Alyssa, her shoulders trembling slightly. "So, you and Cyrus knew… and you both kept it from me?" Mandy said, her voice catching in her throat, tears welling up. Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Mandy, I'm sorry. It was my decision. Cyrus had nothing to do with it."Mandy's tears fell freely now, her grief spilling out in raw sobs. "Do you know what it's been like for me all these years, thinking Damien was gone? Winston, Miley, Lyla, and Colene kept telling me to move on. I tried to accept that he was dead, that we'd never find his body. But I never did."Her vo
The hospital ward was bathed in a dim, yellow glow from the bedside lamp. The silence was thick, yet the room held a strange warmth—an unfamiliar comfort that felt oddly familiar to Remy.Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to sit up. His eyes fell on Mandy, who was asleep beside his bed. Her hair was a mess, and her swollen eyes suggested she'd been crying. She was sound asleep. Remy stiffened. His breath quickened as he stared at her fragile figure. Slowly, he leaned forward, his fingers lifting slightly, tempted to reach out.Just as his hand hovered close, Mandy's lashes fluttered. In her sleep, she murmured, "Damien… Damien… I miss you so much…" Tears slipped down her cheeks, silent and unbidden.A pang tugged at Remy's heart. Without thinking, he brushed away her tears with his calloused fingers. The moment his skin touched hers, a jolt shot through him, sharp and electrifying. Pain throbbed at his temples, but beneath it was a warmth he didn't want to let g
Justin's casual question hit Javier like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through him, freezing his expression. His voice trembled with fear as he barked, "What nonsense is that? Are you accusing me of causing Chester's death? I'm your father—how could you think I'd do such a thing?""It's not an accusation. Just the facts," Justin replied coolly, crossing his legs and savoring his tea with unsettling calm. "And I'm not condemning you. In fact, I understand why you did it. I'm facing the same dilemma now."Javier's breathing grew ragged. He had watched Justin grow from a child into the man before him—now a predator, circling with quiet menace."You were meant to be the heir as the eldest son," Justin continued, his voice smooth as silk. "But Grandpa favored Uncle Chester, handing him major projects, grooming him in plain sight. "Uncle Chester's reputation soon eclipsed yours. He was a natural leader, adept at business, with one fatal flaw—he was kind. Too kind. Unlike you."Justin
Nonetheless, night had fallen by the time Justin arrived at Seaview Manor. On his way there, he worked on two things. First, he secured the top legal team to get Sheryl out on bail as quickly as possible. Second, he tried reaching Remy—unsuccessfully. He had never lost contact with Remy before. Justin's face was as dark as the night itself. The moment he stepped inside Seaview Manor, Rory approached with a solemn expression. He gave a slight bow before speaking. "Mr. Justin, what took you so long? Mr. Javier has been waiting.""I was occupied," Justin replied coolly. Then, as if it were an ordinary evening, he allowed a faint smile. "Where's Jasper? Is he back here yet?" A conflicted look came across Rory's face. "Things between you and Mr. Jasper have soured. I doubt he'll want to see you anytime soon—or show up here.""Is that so? How disappointing."Justin's smile didn't reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on Rory, sharp and bottomless. "So, he'd rather believe what he se
Jonah scoured every corner of the hotel, desperation clawing at his chest, but Julien was nowhere to be found. "Jonah!" Alyssa called out, breathless as she caught up to him. She grabbed his arm. "Calm down! I'll help you search for Jul!""I can't find him. He's gone," Jonah murmured, sinking to the floor. His tears mixed with sweat, creating dark patches on the ground. "Lyse… I fear… if I can't find Julien this time, I'll lose him forever."The agonizing thought of losing the love of his life pierced him. "No, you won't!" Alyssa gripped his arm tighter, her voice trembling with conviction. "If Jul had given up on you, he wouldn't have come here today. The fact that he showed up means he still cares."Jonah's eyes were bloodshot, filled with a pain too deep to hide. He shook his head slowly. "Julien came back for Jasper. He did it because he's loyal… because he's a good friend. Not because of me.""He does care!" Alyssa insisted. "If he didn't, he would've faced you without fli