The crowd dispersed. After all, they felt a little awkward watching a couple being lovey-dovey with one another. Jasper and Alyssa pulled away from each other slowly. He couldn't take his eyes off her and continued looking at her amorously. "That … That was overboard." She already had her face mask on. Adding such a long kiss on top of that made her gasp hard for air.She looked at him resentfully and added, "Who said you could kiss me?""I just felt like it. I didn't think that much," Jasper remarked. A small, satisfied smile played on his lips as he reached out to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "What happens if someone were to recognize us?" "They won't. If they were to recognize us, they would have recognized us the moment we stepped in." He wasn't a saint. By nature, he had a possessive side to him. Furthermore, she was the woman whom he loved to the moon and back. How could he not have reacted to what others were commenting about them? He wanted
Jasper said, "I need to get to Jeffrey before the police do."Men were competitive, especially when they were in love.Both of them answered their respective phone calls at the same time. They hung up at the same time, too."Let's go to Nina's funeral tomorrow morning." Alyssa's eyes were slightly red."Yes, let's go together."Jasper thought long and hard. Like a husband who was about to go on a business trip, Jasper wrapped his arms around Alyssa's waist. He pulled her into his embrace."Lyse, there is an important project to discuss at work. I have to sit in this meeting as the president. I will need to go on a business trip for a few days."For how many days?" Alyssa gasped lightly."Five to ten days?"Jasper felt bad. He knew it was a white lie, but he felt terrible nonetheless for lying to the love of his life.Alyssa blinked her eyes. "Where are you going?"Jasper stopped and said, "Yoarkley." He made it up. He felt guilty as Alyssa stared at him."Okay, have a safe
Jameson had his back facing them. Amber pressed her lips tightly together. She handed the envelope to Carl for him to pass it to Jameson.She used to be the only woman who could get close to Jameson besides Alyssa. She could have sat on his lap and flirted with him like his lover. She could have made harmless jokes with him without angering him.Everyone who worked for Jameson would naturally assume Jameson loved and cared for her.Only Amber knew deep down in her heart that she was nothing. She was not worthy to even carry Alyssa's shoes with her.Jameson only took her as a cheap replacement. When he was happy, he would tease her and satisfy his desires. If he were upset, he would mistreat her. She was putty in his hands.So, she no longer tried to get close to her. Even looking at him in the eye was terrifying for her. Carl handed Jameson the envelope with both hands. Jameson put his wine glass down. He took the envelope from Carl and opened it slowly. Suddenly, Jameson
Otherwise, if Jameson were to act on his rage, he would tear Jasper into shreds right before Alyssa."M-Mr. Schimdt, if I may …"Carl kept the syringe and wiped his sweat away. "I don't think you should use this anymore. This may bring you temporary gratification and is an effective pain reliever. However, this is still an illegal substance. This has not been tested through clinical trials in Mosgravia. We don't know the side effects of it.""I know. Just this once, and I won't use it ever again."Jameson closed his eyes. Finally, he sighed a breath of relief. "Why would a drug dealer be caught under the influence of drugs?"His Achilles heel was drugs. It was Alyssa."Send these photos to Winston anonymously."A devilish smile suddenly appeared on Jameson's face. He looked like he was poisoned, bloodthirsty, and crazy. "Winston loves his daughter to bits. He would never watch his precious daughter make the same mistake twice with his own eyes.""Okay, Mr. Schmidt."As Carl wa
Landon sucked in a deep breath upon hearing that. Jasper had requested for a gun so nonchalantly. It was as if he was asking for a set of utensils."Tsulu has a nickname—the lawless territory. Jeffrey must be familiar with the place to choose to escape there. He probably has an accomplice to intercept him there. So, we can't let our guard down on this trip. We have to prepare for the worst."He ended the call solemnly. Shortly after that, Jasper received a call from Javier.Jasper's frown deepened. He ended Landon's call and answered Javier's call."Jasper, the chairman of Jesselton Incorporated in Mosgravia, wants to go on a video conference with us tomorrow afternoon. He wanted to discuss the strategy for our partnership with them and the Beckett Group's future advancement in Mosgravia. Both of us need to be present for this," Javier informed him coldly.Without a second thought, Jasper said, "I have an important matter to attend to tomorrow. I won't be able to attend it.""Wha
Sean was still in the hospital, so Xavier came to pick them up.Both of them sat in the back. Jasper took a deep breath. He reached out and held Alyssa's cold hand.She didn't avoid it and let him hold her hand. She even let him intertwine his fingers with hers, feeling his warmth."Landon said he wanted to come, but I didn't let him," Jasper said softly."Okay, I understand why you did it. Landon is with Lauren now. He worried Lauren would feel sad if she saw what happened to Nina."Alyssa sighed. "After all, Nina had cared for Lauren for a long time. They were more than a servant and a master. They were friends."Her voice dropped as she spoke. She choked on her words slightly."Don't cry, Lyse."Jasper's heart ached intensely, feeling as if it were twisted. He twitched slightly, lifting his arm to wrap it around Alyssa's shoulder. He held her in his arms and consoled her. "Nina wouldn't want us to feel sad because of her."I'm sure she wants to see the beautiful, sassy, and
Everyone present today was from the Taylor family.Jasper didn't avert his gaze. Instead, he walked confidently alongside Alyssa. The fact that he was the only outsider present didn't faze him; on the contrary, he felt more secure at that moment.Jasper wanted to be Alyssa's steadfast support and pillar. With him around, Alyssa could let her guard down and relax. Xavier followed behind Jasper. Seeing all of Alyssa's brothers, his head tingled, and his palms started sweating. He vowed to himself that he wouldn't marry a girl with so many brothers. It was too difficult."Lyse!"The crowd went toward Alyssa hastily and surrounded her.When the Taylors saw Jasper, their demeanors weren't exactly friendly. They would have closed the door on him and let the dog out if it were in the past."Thank you for your care and support during this time, everyone," Alyssa said.Then, she looked tenderly at Tatiana, who was pushing Sean over. She didn't blame Sean for calling the shots. "Thank y
Nina's grandmother said tremblingly, "What's wrong?"Alyssa turned around and felt a lump in her throat when she saw the worry on the old woman's face. She quickly approached Nina's grandmother and held her hand, assuring her. "It's nothing. You don't have to worry about anything except for Nina's wake. We'll be here for you. You have nothing to fear."…Reporters swarmed the funeral home and aimed their cameras at Nina's funeral hall. To them, the funeral was excellent news material. Not only were important figures from the Beckett Group and the Taylor Group in attendance, but the deceased, Nina Carle, was the only witness of the shooting incident.Would that mean Nina's death had to do with the Becketts and the Taylors? The news would certainly cause an uproar because it implicated the wealthy in the death of a poor, innocent, working-class young woman. Besides, the murderer remained at large. Alyssa saw the situation coming. Sophia and Betty had leaked the news to the report
"Mr. Lexington," the doctor greeted respectfully, lowering his head slightly. Everyone at the base knew who Sheryl and Remy were. They were the ones in charge, the decision-makers. So, everyone obeyed their orders without question. To the staff unaware of the facility's true purpose, Sheryl and Remy stood at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. Unbeknownst to them, someone more powerful lurked in the shadows."How has she been these past few days?" Remy asked, his expression unreadable."She's had some adverse reactions, but there are no signs of organ failure yet. Honestly, I'm surprised. She looks frail, but her body is incredibly resilient—stronger than some men, even."The doctor scoffed. "But I'm not sure if she'll make it past her fourth injection today. Last month, four test subjects didn't survive beyond that point. Their bodies have already been sent to the incinerator." Remy's jaw tensed. His voice was husky as he said, "As I've instructed, this woman must be kept alive.
Xavier seethed as he took in the insincere smile on Justin's face. Deep down, he was cursing him with every profanity imaginable. "Whatever makes you happy."Ignoring Justin's dark gaze, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead as he strode past him.Out of nowhere, Justin chuckled and asked, "Did you really think you had people on your side during the board meeting?"Jasper halted, his eyes narrowing. "Grandpa tried his best to shield you, but his health is failing by the day. How much longer do you think an old man can protect you?"Lowering his gaze, Justin idly adjusted the ruby cufflinks on his sleeves. His voice was casual yet cutting. "And Lyse—after how ruthlessly you discarded her, do you still believe she'll stand by you no matter what? That she'll fight alongside you like before?"The intense midday sun accentuated the sharp, aloof, and pallid features of Jasper's face as he stood, unyielding, in its glare. His pulse quickened. Finally, he answered, his voice a low rasp. "R
As the board meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.News of Justin securing his position as president and Alyssa joining the board quickly spread through Beckett Group.After the meeting, Alyssa escorted Newton back to Crescent Bay while Jasper remained at the corporation to handle some matters.With Xavier accompanying him, Jasper strode toward the chairman's office, his expression cold and unreadable.Nearby, a few employees huddled together, whispering."Psst! Do you think Alyssa joining the board means she's teaming up with Jasper to take down our new president?""People have been saying they broke up since they haven't been seen together for a while," another speculated."But at the press conference, Alyssa openly condemned Mr. Justin. That looked like she was siding with Jasper. So, are they still together or not?""Come on, to people like them, personal feelings don't matter—only their own interests do. Even if they broke up, they can still work together if it
When Jonah reached the bedside, he leaned in slowly, giving Julien an unobstructed view of his tanned skin, well-defined abs, and that devastatingly captivating face. Reclining against the headboard, Julien found himself lost in Jonah's eyes. His breath hitched, and his mind momentarily blanked as Jonah's mesmerizing gaze locked onto him. What could he do? His heart still betrayed him, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He was a fool—a pathetic fool. Jonah braced his arms on either side of Julien's head, his dark eyes overflowing with a raw, possessive affection. It was as if he sought to consume Julien—just as he had last night."Julien, does it still hurt—" "Fuck you!" Julien's bloodshot eyes blazed as he swung his hand, landing a sharp slap across Jonah's face. The illusion of his frailty shattered. A crimson handprint bloomed on Jonah's cheek in a split second, the flesh puffing up visibly. But the sting barely registered. Not when the ache in Jonah's chest was alr
Justin frowned as a hint of surprise flashed across his dark eyes. He had assumed Newton's unannounced appearance at the board meeting—along with Alyssa's involvement—was a coordinated effort with Jasper to overthrow him as president. After mentally running through hundreds of countermeasures, the one possibility he hadn't considered was that everything would proceed smoothly in his favor. Javier was equally stunned, though this outcome aligned with his desires. Today, Justin wasn't merely his son but a constant shadow looming over him, a silent predator watching his every move and reminding him that his past actions weren't completely buried. Instead, this secret loomed like a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment, obliterating everything he'd built. And the person holding the detonator was Justin—his eldest son whom he had trusted above all others. With a dim gaze, Javier watched Justin rise to his feet amid the applause. Suddenly, Justin's voice seemed distant,
Justin curled his lips into a smirk, scoffing in silence. Newton had gone to great lengths to bring Alyssa into Beckett Group. This was his way of decentralizing power and keeping it in check, and he wanted to prevent Justin from having complete control. Unlike others, Javier couldn't hold himself back. He blew his top instantly, his face turning red like a tomato. "Dad, have you lost your mind? Don't you know who she is? She is KS Group's president—our direct competitor!"KS Group is also bidding for Project A5. No matter how much you favor her, you should at least recognize the limits. If you promote her, it's a blatant conflict of interest—outright cronyism!" Newton sneered. "I might understand your concern if I were promoting someone other than Alyssa."His gaze hardened. "Cronyism? A conflict of interest? I wonder who you're really talking about."With those words, he cast a knowing, enigmatic glance at Justin's blank expression. Just then, a board member from Javier's
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa