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.
"Alright, it's just a small injury. Don't worry—Ah!"Alyssa's vision blurred for a moment as Jasper lifted her up around the waist. Instinctively, she pressed against his chest."I'll take you to your room. You have a first aid kit at home, right? I'll help you bandage it." Jasper stared intently at her as he carried her and headed upstairs."I don't need you to do it. I'm a professional surgeon. I can bandage it myself."Alyssa clenched her hand into a fist as she pounded on his chest. Yet she dared not to use too much force, so it was more like scratching an itch."Besides, I hurt my arm, not my leg. What's the use of carrying me? I can walk by myself!""I know, but I want to carry you." Jasper spoke his mind.Alyssa's fist pressed against his solid chest, her breathing erratic. She even forgot to resist. A rosy blush colored her cheeks.…Jasper carried Alyssa into her bedroom.To his surprise, her room was unexpectedly simple. Although the decor was luxurious, with top-no
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