"I went for aesthetic cosmetology tonight. Dr. McAslister gave me a jab. He said the jab will make me more relaxed. It should be more effective than the ones I used before."Sophia covered her head with her hands. Her eyes were filled with worry and panic. She continued, "After I took the jab, my body felt light and relaxed. Then, I fell asleep. But, when I woke up, Dr. McAlister asked, 'Who is Anne?'"Betty gasped. Goosebumps filled her entire body."Mom … W-What did you say? Dr. McAlister is in no business to know. How could you …"Betty knew the actual reason for Jasper's mother's death back then.On some level, Sophia was the culprit who had caused Anne to take her life.However, it had been executed with meticulousness. Sophia had bribed the maid who took care of Anne. The maid then swapped her medication for depression. She even asked Liana and Betty to spread rumors.As a result, Anne's condition worsened. She couldn't stand the physical and mental torture and leaped of
Nina trembled as she curled herself in the wardrobe with a red wine bottle in her hand.She was overwhelmed by shock, and her face drained of color. Her eyes were bloodshot, as if she had cried profusely.What was she supposed to do?She was frantically trying to find an answer in her mind.She wondered who she should break this groundbreaking secret to—Jasper or Alyssa?…After Betty helped Sophia settle in, she returned to her room.When she helped Sophia out of her clothes, she noticed needle marks on the latter's arms. Betty couldn't help but shudder at the thought of it.Javier and Sophia no longer stayed in the same room. Since Lyla's accident, the couple had had more bad blood between them.Had they been sleeping on the same bed and Javier had seen those needle marks, Betty had no idea how he would react to them.When she reached her room, Betty saw Nina standing outside the door blankly as she waited for her with a red wine bottle in her hand.She didn't look well.
She was like an ant on a hot pan, jittering with worry.The other end of the phone was exceptionally quiet."Mom? Mom! Did you hear what I said? What should we do now?""We need to get rid of that maid," Sophia said sinisterly after a long time."Pretend nothing ever happened. Let's keep it down and get someone to spy on her. When the time is right, we'll make this little troublemaker disappear from the face of the earth!"…Alyssa was discharged from the hospital after she recovered.Axel wasn't there when she was discharged because he didn't want to see Winston. Everyone else from the Taylor family came. Even Winston's wives rushed over from Belbanks.The wives were empathetic women. When they saw how scrawny the princess of the family had become, tears streamed down their faces. Alyssa had lost her usual radiant appearance."My dear child, you've suffered so much."Lyla was the most sensitive of all. Her eyes were swollen after all the crying. She went to Alyssa and hugged
The Taylor family members were flabbergasted when they saw Jameson getting out of Winston's car.Alyssa frowned.Winston was an arrogant man who always sat on his high horse. No one from the younger generation except his children had ever sat in his car.Jasper was the most reputable, capable, and influential person in Solana City. Yet Winston had never thought that Jasper was worth his time. However, as of this moment, it seemed that Jameson had successfully gotten close to Winston. Anyone would be lying if they weren't shocked.If Alyssa remembered correctly, Winston used to be cold to Jameson. What was with the 180-degree change in his attitude after merely a few days?"Lyse, you look so much better. That's great."A gentle smile appeared in Jameson's eyes. He walked toward Alyssa with a vibrant bouquet of pink roses in his hand and gave them to her. "This is to celebrate your getting discharged from the hospital."Alyssa looked at the beautiful roses before her. Her eyes f
He had heard about a love rival snatching someone's hand in marriage. But he had never heard of a brother snatching his sister's hand in marriage. However, Axel had never been afraid of anything. It wouldn't be a surprise if he did something like that. "Hey, bastard!"Axel looked at Jasper from beside him. "If, and I mean 'if', Jameson asks my sister's hand in marriage, will you interfere?"Jasper felt as if an arrow had pierced through his heart. Pain consumed his body.He couldn't entertain the thought of Jameson and Alyssa getting married."Shit, forget it. Neither you nor Jameson should think about getting my sister. None of you is worth her time," Axel cursed. He thought it was a stupid question to ask."I only want Lyse to be happy. As long as she's happy, I'm willing to do anything for her." Jasper felt as if something was stuck in his throat. His voice broke as he spoke."Then, can you help me separate Lyse and that Schmidt guy? Seeing them as a couple is a real pain,
Colene thought about it. Perplexed, she said, "Winston's attitude seemed odd to me. He told us he wasn't fond of the Schmidt family's sons. Why did he suddenly change his attitude toward Jameson?"Mandy frowned slightly.Jameson seemed to have some tricks up his sleeve.…Alyssa stared out the window the whole time. She was uninterested in speaking to Jameson.Meanwhile, Jameson sat beside her quietly. His eyes didn't leave her for a second. He thought he was the luckiest man in the world, even if he was watching over her silently."Jimmy, thank you for keeping me company while I was at the hospital."Alyssa didn't look at him, but her tone was gentle. "I'm sure you're tired. Make sure you rest well when you get back. Please don't look for me for now.""Lyse, d-do you not wish to see me?" Jameson frowned as his heart tightened."I don't know what you told my father, but if you still want to be my friend, I hope everything stops here."Alyssa looked at him this time, but her e
Nina paced back and forth in the garden after speaking to Alyssa on the phone. She was in distress.This was the first time she had ever done something like this in her life. Her heart wasn't strong enough to take it.She returned to the villa anxiously.All of a sudden, her heart stopped for a second. Jasper, who hadn't returned for a long time, entered the villa."Mr. Beckett … Mr. Beckett!"Nina broke into a sweat. Her face paled as she ran after Jasper. She went in front of him to block him.She had been working as a maid here for many years, but she never dared to talk to him. She had no idea where she got the courage to charge toward him.Jasper frowned slightly. "What can I do for you?""I-I … You …" Nina cursed herself for getting tongue-tied now."You can take your time." Jasper looked at her lightly.He had never had this level of patience before. Now, Alyssa had completely influenced him. He was more easygoing and rational now.Nina bit her lip hard. Her face redd
Jasper returned to his study and waited for Xavier. As he smoked by the window with a contemplative look, Nina's words echoed in his mind, making his heart race.Did that mean the maid had been secretly in touch with Alyssa? Why?He mused, "Alyssa, what exactly do you plan to do? Why do you always make me worry?"He answered when he heard a knock on the door. Taking another drag of his cigarette, he flicked the cigarette ashes with his calloused fingers.Xavier shuffled into the room, shut the door, and handed Jasper a note, explaining, "Mr. Beckett, this is the address that Nina wanted to give you. She'll meet Ms. Alyssa here tonight."Jasper felt his chest tighten, and even his fingers shook as he accepted the note. He cast a quick glance at it, immediately memorizing the address.Then, he questioned, "What else did Nina tell you?"Xavier shook his head. "Mr. Beckett, I feel that she's spying on this family for Ms. Alyssa.""She is a spy without a doubt," replied Jasper, clut
"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