Alyssa stopped teasing Cyrus and adopted a serious expression. "Cyrus, has the phone been repaired?""The repair was challenging, but my colleagues in the technical department are professionals."Cyrus turned to Jasper. "Mr. Beckett, we'll need your statement later.""Sure, I came here to cooperate with your investigation."Jasper's eyes softly lingered on Alyssa's profile, unable to pull away.Alyssa wasn't oblivious to his gaze. She pursed her rosy lips subtly, deliberately avoiding his intense stare.Then, the trio entered the police station. Even though it was night, the sight of Alyssa and Jasper walking in together drew astonished glances from the officers.They were an outstanding pair, and it was hard to find a couple like them. It didn't seem right that they weren't married.In the interrogation room, Cyrus brought forward the repaired phone.Alyssa's long lashes trembled slightly as she gently picked up the phone with the broken screen.On the lit screen was a photo
The atmosphere suddenly became strange.Alyssa stared at Jasper's face. The gentle smile on his face at this moment was something she had never seen before.She cleared her throat, hastily averting her gaze. She dared not lock eyes with his dazzling ones, afraid that another glance might reveal some unspeakable secret.She noticed that he had indeed changed a lot.The previous Jasper had been cold, distant, and aloof. On the contrary, the current Jasper seemed to have melted and surrounded her with a reassuring sense of security."Ahem ... Um …"Cyrus, who was single and allergic to romance, couldn't stand it any longer. So he chimed in, breaking the ambiguous atmosphere."It's just a suit. Why wash it? Our family has a big business. We can afford to compensate for a piece of clothing. Lyse, just buy a new one for Mr. Beckett. I'll pay for it.""Thank you, Chief Cyrus," Jasper said with a slight smile, appearing calm."Cyrus, are you sure you want to compensate for it?"Alyss
"It was the last thing she said to me."Upon hearing that, all three of them fell into a heavy silence, lowering their heads.The poor woman. In her last moments, she hadn't thought about her life but about how to reveal the truth and let justice prevail.Cyrus frowned, thinking out loud, "So Nina's death should also be related to her knowledge of this secret.""Yes. Otherwise, the cunning and careful Madam Sophia wouldn't suddenly lose her head and send an assassin to kill Nina, trying to silence her." Alyssa clenched her fists in anger, her eyes reddening."She has quite the guts. She actually dared to target you!"Recalling what happened to Alyssa that night, Cyrus couldn't contain his anger and slammed the table. "You have five brothers and a father who's filthy rich. How dare she go after you? Even without Dad's help, any one of us could kill her without her knowing."At this moment, Jasper's eyes turned cold.What had happened to make Sophia act so recklessly?Alyssa s
Cyrus was also stunned. He hadn't expected this incident to be related to Javier's former wife, Anne Bartley.Her death was a confusing case from years ago. If brought to light, it would undoubtedly lead to a grim fate for Sophia.No wonder Sophia had been so desperate to kill Nina."Jasper." Alyssa gazed at Jasper with concern.At this moment, Jasper was staring at the phone with dark eyes. The tears in his eyes were more heartbreaking and hard to look at than the broken screen."What do you mean by no one? There's Liana!"This matter involved Liana too?Alyssa felt a chill down her spine.It was evident that Jasper's mother's death hadn't been an accident but a carefully orchestrated plot by Sophia.When Alyssa had been married to Jasper, she had asked Rosie about Anne's death. However, Rosie had always been hesitant to talk about it and had kept the details about it a secret.Rosie had mentioned that Jasper didn't like anyone probing into Anne's death.She had also said t
In the urgency of the moment, Alyssa exerted all her strength and wrapped her arms around Jasper from behind, securing his tense waist tightly."Jasper! Lyse is right!"Cyrus also stepped forward, blocking Jasper's way. He looked into the latter's pale face. The sadness in his eyes made Cyrus feel deeply distressed."Taking a life demands a price. You're a good person. Why give your life for these wicked animals? If you really want revenge for your mother, you have to stay rational and clear-headed."Yes, Sophia deserves to die. But if you take action, it just means one life for another. Is it worth it for that bitch? If something happens to you, what about Lyse? Have you thought about her?"Cyrus had said so much, but it seemed like only the last two sentences acted like a strong and effective sedative for Jasper.Alyssa was exerting all her strength on Jasper's back. She closed her eyes, tightly holding onto his waist. Even though her face was soaked with cold sweat, she presse
Too much had happened that night.Even Cyrus, a professional police officer, couldn't fully digest it. He had initially wanted Jasper to go home and rest. Yet Jasper was extremely stubborn and insisted on providing his statement.His current condition wasn't good at all.Seaview Manor was a place that brought him unbearable grief and hatred. It was now somewhere he couldn't bring himself to stay.But if he went to Newton's place, he feared he wouldn't be able to hold back his emotions and might break down in front of Newton. That would make the old man worry.Jasper stood at the entrance of the police station in a daze and suddenly forced a bitter smile.The president of Beckett Group, who was worth tens of billions, was now like a lost soul with nowhere to go.It was pitiful, ridiculous, and truly tragic."You can stay at my place tonight," Alyssa said in a gentle tone, making Jasper spin around and stare into her eyes in disbelief.He even thought that he might be hearing th
At this moment, for the first time in his life, Jasper felt a sense of vanity. He suddenly wanted to take a picture and send it to Landon."Who said only you can come here? Look, I'm here too!" he thought."Jasper, what are you looking at?"Alyssa glanced at him with surprise. "Do you know that the look in your eyes just now was like a thief's?""Sorry." Jasper quickly withdrew his gaze, feeling like he had lost control again."Except for the last room on the left on the second floor, you can go into any other room you like. The fridge in the kitchen should have some ingredients Sean left there. If you want to eat, make it yourself. I don't have a chef here," Alyssa said calmly, turning to go upstairs.“Why can't I go into that room?” Jasper asked foolishly."Because that's my bedroom."Alyssa suddenly stopped, looking back at him with a faint smile."Don't worry. I don't have any secrets that can't be seen, nor do I have any old lovers that I can't forget. If you want to visi
"I'm going upstairs."Suddenly, Alyssa felt a weight on her back, and her body leaned forward sharply.Jasper hugged her tightly from behind, enveloping her entirely. He wished he could meld her into his body.His firm and warm chest pressed against her slender back. His intense heartbeat pounded into her, making her head dizzy. A soft and tingling sensation spread from her back to her chest."Jasper," Alyssa called hoarsely as her breathing became rapid.There was a clear sense of resistance in her tone, but this time, she didn't struggle."How could it not be worth mentioning? I won't allow you to say that."Jasper tightened his embrace, his arms holding onto her fragile waist. Meanwhile, his hot breath sprayed onto her neck. "20 years ago, I lost the most important person in my life."20 years later, I found the only woman in my life. I don't want to lose you again. You're everything to me. Lyse, after losing you, every day I live feels like hell."Death wasn't frightening.
"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