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
The reporters nodded at Betty's remark with looks of approval. "Not only was Ms. Betty born to wealth, but she was also a kind and understanding young woman.""As Nina's employer, I should attend her funeral," Sophia sobbed in front of the cameras.The reporters questioned, "What will be the post-funeral arrangements?""Nina might have died in an accident, but the Beckett Group had a role to play because we failed to monitor the safety of our employees. We will offer compensation to her family. We cannot do anything to have Nina back, but we cherish our memories with her. So, we will do our best to assist her family. Hopefully, she will be at peace."The reporters sighed with a newfound admiration for Sophia.…Escorted by their bodyguards, Sophia and Betty entered the funeral home. The reporters followed closely with their cameras, hungry to get a scoop.Suddenly, Sophia and Betty looked petrified upon seeing the Taylor family members in black. Gripped by fear, their hearts nea
What did Alyssa mean? Did Sophia and Betty play a role in Nina's death?Jasper's chest tightened. He looked at Alyssa's hateful face from the corner of his eye and quietly placed a hand on her waist. Feeling her body trembling, he held her tighter. The encouraging gesture offered her a boost of confidence.Jasper kept his silence not because he was concerned about keeping his image. He understood that Alyssa needed to confront Sophia to release her anger.Sophia and Betty looked mortified, and their expressions crumbled. They sensed the reporters' attention on them. It felt like shooting themselves in the foot."Ms. Alyssa, what do you mean? Do you really think we're responsible for Nina's death?" Sophia wondered, meeting Alyssa's hateful glance."It was a suggestion. I didn't accuse you of anything." Shrugging, Alyssa mocked them, "You seem quite panicked even when I did not accuse you. Are you really behind Nina's death?"The reporters exchanged looks and started taking photos
Everyone fell into a prolonged silence out of shock. Even Alyssa's brothers were caught off guard by her sudden move. "Lyse …"They had never expected Alyssa to admit to her divorce in front of the media after how secretive she had been with the marriage. At that moment, she was fearless and honest.In the past, she had difficulty addressing her failed marriage because she perceived it as a shameful stain on her life. Now, she had put the feelings behind her and came to terms with the fact that she had met the right person at the wrong time.In the next second, the camera flashed at Alyssa and Jasper. Frowning, he shielded her from the attack like a fort."Ms. Alyssa, is that true? Were you married to Mr. Beckett?""Was it a secret marriage? When did you divorce? Any children?""What is the reason for the divorce? Was it because of Liana Gardner or another mistress?"The reporters flooded Alyssa with challenging questions.Jasper declared, "Lyse was not to be blamed for the div
People were more interested in useless celebrity gossip than actual news in this era.Suddenly, a reporter bravely shoved a microphone in Sophia's face and confronted her, asking, "Mrs. Beckett, have you abused your maids like what Ms. Alyssa said? Was Nina Carle a subject of your abuse?"Sophia was astonished that the media she invited to the funeral had turned against her. Jasper held Alyssa's hand tight. He complimented her. "Lyse, you're awesome. You're way better than me. I can never be as good as you …"Staring at her, he smiled bitterly. "I feel like I'm out of your league now."Then, he tenderly whispered, "You had pursued me in the last 13 years. From now on, I will be the one to do the pursuing."Touched by his words, she wrapped her fingers against his.…The other reporters flocked to question Sophia and Betty. The two women, sweating profusely, argued, "No, that's not the truth! You shouldn't listen to Alyssa Taylor's nonsense!""Madam Sophia, you cannot get out
"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