Betty, who could not step aside in time, was also drenched in soup. She nearly heaved from the stench.The onlookers gasped at the turn of events. They did not expect Nina's bedridden and ill grandmother to take revenge for her granddaughter with a will of steel. The old woman glowered at Sophia.Her determination won her the respect of everyone present."You evil woman! Get lost! I don't want you standing in the way of Nina!" Despite appearing frail, the old woman yelled loudly with rage, "If you don't leave, I will break your head with the bowl! "I don't have any purpose in life after losing Nina. I have nothing more to lose, and I am not afraid of going against you!"…Sophia and Betty enjoyed a high-profile arrival at the funeral but ended up escaping from the scene with tails between their legs.The reporters left after that. They would have a field day writing news articles on Javier and Sophia. Although Nina's funeral started in chaos, it wrapped up smoothly. Unfortun
Tatiana's breaths became ragged, her cheeks deepening in color. She held Sean's hand silently, both blushing in embarrassment but not letting go.When Alyssa gathered herself, she told Jasper, "Mrs. Rosie can no longer work at Seaview Manor after what happened today. If you and Mrs. Rosie don't mind, I'd like her to work at Heightsnew Villa in Belbanks."If she prefers retirement, I will buy her a place in Belbanks so she could retire comfortably. I will be worried for her if she stays in Solana City. Sophia and Betty might give her trouble as payback.""Lyse, my sentiments exactly," he replied, looking content. "I'd prefer Mrs. Rosie to leave Solana City temporarily and return only after I've taught Sophia a lesson. But I do not mind if Mrs. Rosie settles down in Belbanks. That sounds good as well.""I'm just concerned she won't want to leave because she'll miss you," she teased, squinting at him.Bright-eyed, Jasper rubbed her fingers and responded, "She won't miss me. She once
Jasper whirled around, drawn in by a pleasant fragrance. Alyssa leaned closer to him, her eyes shining brightly. She placed her arms by his side, her plump lips hovering before him. He swallowed hard and blushed at the fatal attraction of her moist lips.Alyssa purred, "Have you forgotten what I said to you?" Her hand traveled down to his chest and traced its way to his abdomen.His heart raced as he stared intently at her rosy lips. Just when he was about to kiss her, she took the cigarette from between his fingers and placed it between her lips.She took a long drag but started coughing violently. Her face reddened.He pinched her flushed cheeks and teased her, "Oh, you silly thing! Don't force yourself if you don't know how to smoke.""I don't understand … Cough … What's so appealing about smoking?" She tossed the cigarette on the floor and stomped on it. "You and Axel smoke all the time. What are you, a chimney? I should play the documentary of lung cancer on a loop to scare
The video capturing Sophia and Betty at Nina's funeral went viral online. One wondered if Jonah influenced the narrative or if the reporters had ganged up against Sophia because of the absence of scenes featuring Alyssa and Jasper.Instead, the footage showcased Rosie's accusations against Sophia and Nina's grandmother's soup attack.Alyssa and Jasper's divorce should have been more sensational news than maid abuse allegations against Sophia. Still, cowed by the pressures exerted by Jonah and Jasper, no reporter dared broach the subject of the divorce to protect their career.Despite brief online gossip regarding Alyssa and Jasper's secret marriage, the discussion soon died down after all the media attention on Sophia's behavior.The netizens turned the photo of Sophia drenched in soup into a gif and shared it online. Not only that, but it was also transformed into various jokes and puns. The situation spiraled beyond the control of the Beckett Group's PR team."ROFL! I can't wait
Angelina, burdened with guilt, sighed as she admitted, "There's another problem. Madam Lauren found out about Nina's death through the news about the funeral."Landon's chest tightened. His worst fear had become a reality. Angelina continued, "It was my fault. I didn't anticipate the news reporting on the funeral so soon because there was an embargo."Anyway, that's not an excuse. I did not do my job well. So, instead of the bonus, you should be giving me a penalty," Angelina willingly offered to be punished."That's not your fault, Angie. You are busy taking care of Lauren while handling work matters for me. It's tough for you," Landon replied with worry. "How is Lauren holding up?""Madam Lauren is not doing well. She's been crying. Please come home now and check on her.""Sure. I'll be back soon."After hanging up, Landon felt increasingly agitated and concerned at the thought of Lauren alone crying. He kicked the back of the driver's seat and snapped, "Go faster if you want t
"Search for Lauren," Landon yelled, slamming a fist onto the window sill with rage. "… even if you have to turn the place upside down!""Roger that! I'll get a few people to look for her," Angelina answered and immediately went into action.Silence encapsulated the room, which soothed Landon's nerves. After calming down, he heard a vague sobbing from somewhere in the room that tugged at his heartstrings."Lauren!" Elated, he ran into the bedroom, where the sobbing grew louder. His heart shattered with each cry.Finally, he stopped in front of the closet. The sobbing was loud and clear, accompanied by the ruffling of clothes.Slowly, he opened the doors, only to hold his breath at what he saw next.Lauren's frail body curled in a damp corner like a stray with no home.She hugged her knees, her dark bangs clinging to her sweaty forehead. After hiding in the closet for a while, she looked a little out of breath, and her cheeks were flushed."L-Landon …" She burst into tears when s
"Gosh, Angie, you nag me more than my mom! I hired you because you were quiet, but why are you getting more talkative over the years?" Landon teased Angelina.Angelina pressed her lips and took a step backward with an awkward expression. Over the years, Landon had cycled through numerous partners, but she was the one constant presence at his side.She had assumed various roles for Landon in the past—secretary, bodyguard, dance partner, and confidant. She had even posed as his significant other to fend off persistent admirers when necessary.Being by Landon's side felt as natural as breathing to her. She was accustomed to being indispensable to him, never having been with another man.They weren't lovers, but they knew each other better than lovers. Now that Landon had found his true love, Angelina decided to stay out of his private life to avoid annoying him."Angie, I think the next few days might be more challenging for you." After kissing Lauren, Landon grimly reminded Angelina
Newton's expression darkened when Javier mentioned Alyssa. He demanded, "What did you say? What does that mean?""Everyone in the family knows Alyssa and Sophia have never seen eye to eye. Think about how much trouble she has caused us ever since the divorce. This time, Alyssa was present as well when the debacle happened. Even if she holds no regard for Sophia, she should have shown some respect to you and our family."At first, Javier only attempted to dismiss his misjudgment of his wife's character, but he was inadvertently carried away as he vented his anger at Alyssa. "Why choose a somber funeral to settle scores with Sophia? Couldn't she have waited until it was over?"She clearly wants to go against the Beckett Group. Her recklessness and her vindictiveness led to this difficult situation."Newton squinted dangerously. "It sounds like you're laying all the blame on Alyssa.""She played a part," Javier retorted shamelessly, attempting to shift the responsibility.Unable to
"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