Jasper's phone rang at that moment. The caller ID was unknown. He recalled that he had asked Xavier to share his personal phone number with Nina just in case of an emergency. He rarely received any calls on his personal phone, which meant that the caller must be Nina.Bracing for what he sensed might be bad news, he swiftly answered, "Hello?""Mr. Beckett, save Ms. Alyssa. Save her! We're—Ah—" Nina abruptly dropped her phone as she screamed.Holding his breath, he stared at the dark screen as his heart pounded wildly. Alyssa's name echoed urgently in his mind. With beads of sweat forming on his forehead, he raced toward the park while calling Xavier. He said urgently, "Something's happened to Alyssa. Send backup my way right now."…The sounds of a scuffle rang through the park as Sean expended every ounce of energy to fend off the attackers, desperately delivering punches and kicks.Despite his swift moves, Sean found himself overpowered by a group of men armed with knives
"Ms. Alyssa!" Turning white, Nina screamed and shut her eyes in fear.Alyssa was overwhelmed by fear, and her eyes wavered as she surrendered to fate.At that moment, all her senses shut down. Scenes from her life flashed across her eyes, and they were all memories of Jasper.She recalled their memorable first encounter 13 years ago, their days on the Luminara battlefields, their marriage, divorce, and holding on to each other amid a landslide.She took a deep breath, and tears streamed down her face. People always say that one faced their real self before dying. Was she still in love with Jasper, or did she hate him so much that she thought of him before dying?She heard a whiz, a sound that caused her eardrums to reverberate. Death didn't arrive as she had expected.Caught by surprise, Jeffrey felt a sharp pain in his wrist. Before he knew it, someone had kicked the dagger in his hand away, making it drop into the pond.Alyssa turned around and saw the angry Jasper come to h
However, Alyssa was pulled out of her thoughts as Jasper engaged in a fierce brawl with Jeffrey. Each punch he delivered was forceful and rapid.The three other men ran toward Jasper, aiming their knives at him. They were determined to kill him. There was no other option."Jasper, look out! Behind you!" Alyssa shouted, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.Since Jasper hadn't fully recovered, facing Jeffrey alone would be a daunting task for him. Now, things were worse with the trio of attackers closing in on him.Not only that, Jeffrey was a merciless man whose each move aimed to kill.Jasper was empowered when he heard Alyssa's warning. Without looking back, he grabbed the attacker's wrist and snapped it. The attacker's agonizing scream pierced through the night.Alyssa's heart was pounding wildly. Memories of Jasper's valor on the battlefield flooded her mind.In the next instant, she watched as he decisively stabbed the attacker. As a doctor, she realized that Jasper hadn'
Nina threw herself in front of Alyssa, protecting the latter with her feeble frame. Her opened arms fell limply, and her body collapsed onto the floor.Jasper and Sean were shocked by the sight. Alyssa hugged Nina, only to feel the wetness in her hands. Trembling, she lifted her hand and teared up at what she saw."Nina! You—""Ms. Alyssa, listen …" Nina was losing her consciousness fast.She opened her mouth with difficulty as the color drained from her face. Alyssa hurriedly stopped her from speaking. "Stop talking! You need to conserve your energy. I'll get you to the hospital!" Crying, Alyssa tried to lift Nina in her arms, but she failed because she was too exhausted from the fight. Instead, she offered, "I'll stop your bleeding!"Nina shook her head, muttering, "It's too late. I know … Sophia's secret … She … killed Madam Anne … the evidence … the phone …"Alyssa felt a sharp pang course through her body. A coldness enveloped her. She looked at Jasper through tears as h
After Alyssa and Sean left with the Taylor siblings, the police arrested the attackers. With blood everywhere, the scene looked like a mess with blood.Jasper stood frozen on the spot with the gun in his hand. Given his combat skills, taking down the attackers had been a piece of cake. Still, he felt more exhausted than he had during his days on the battlefield.Cyrus approached him with two policemen and, after casting a look at the gun, said sternly, "Please come to the police station with us to assist in the investigation.""Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Xavier exclaimed, shielding Jasper from the authorities, his face flushed.He explained, "Mr. Beckett wrestled the gun away from the attacker! You can't possibly suspect him as the shooter, can you? If it hadn't been for Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa would have—""Enough, Xavier. Stop it." Jasper cut him off and calmly faced Cyrus. "Fine. I'll go.""Mr. Beckett, please don't misunderstand us. I'm not treating you as a suspec
"Liam, I can never make amends for what I've done," Alyssa mumbled as she closed her eyes in pain and cried in Jonah's arms.The Taylor brothers had seen Alyssa cry before. In fact, she was a crybaby. In public, she presented herself as a capable and invincible career woman. Only her brothers knew that she was just an ordinary young lady who was emotionally vulnerable and needed attention.However, Alyssa seemed to be badly affected this time. They guessed that it would take her longer to recover from the shock.Silas and Liam had been briefed on the situation while they were on their way to the hospital. They had learned that Sean was badly injured but alive, with a chance of recovery. However, the young lady named Nina had lost vital signs upon reaching the ICU. Alyssa had nearly knelt on the floor there, begging the surgeons to save Nina's life. Everyone prayed hard that the brave and pitiful woman would survive the ordeal."Jonah, I heard Sean's suffered a serious injury.
"Why were you there tonight?" Alyssa whispered, tears glistening in her eyes."It was all because of Nina. She bumped into me at Seaview Manor this afternoon and informed me about the meeting tonight," Jasper confessed. "I went to the park because I was worried."His concern was justified. Alyssa recalled the huge secret Nina had revealed before losing consciousness. Tensing up, she trembled harder. She hesitated to disclose the information to Jasper.Instead, she touched the front pocket of her shirt, where she had stored Nina's broken phone.Frowning slightly, Jasper removed his jacket and draped it over her, wrapping it tightly around her. She stared blankly ahead without resistance. At that moment, her sole focus was on Sean and Nina's well-being, leaving her with no energy to spare for anything else.She inquired, "Have the police arrested that man?""They've issued a warrant for him. The police and my security team have set up roadblocks across the city, including the r
Everyone gathered around the surgeon and stared at him nervously.The surgeon exhaled deeply, shaking his head somberly as he disclosed, "The bullet caused significant damage to her organ, leading to a hemorrhage. "Frankly, there was little hope from the moment she arrived at the hospital. I regret to inform you, Ms. Alyssa, that we couldn't save her. We tried our best."As a doctor herself, Alyssa understood the weight and emotions behind the phrase "we tried our best".The Taylor family members lowered their heads defeatedly. Liam removed his military beret as a sign of respect to the late Nina.Even though they had known that Nina's chances of survival were slim when they had stepped into the hospital, it still hurt to hear the confirmation. Alyssa was the only person in disbelief."No! That can't be real. Nina is strong. How could she have died?" Alyssa tugged at the surgeon's arm and repeatedly yelled as she spiralled into hysteria."Lyse, calm down!" Jasper hugged her fro
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