"Who is that? They look local.""I'm not sure, but don't you think he looks a bit like Mr. Beckett?""I didn't notice it before, but … he does, yeah!"Javier's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the screen.It was Justin!Why was he sitting there with Mr. Jesselton?As if oblivious to the fact that the call had gone through, Justin was chatting merrily with the Jesselton father and son. They looked to have quite a friendship."Justin, you … " Javier was taken aback. The script he had meticulously prepared the previous night quickly became a jumble.Only then did Justin react by turning to the camera. He waved at Javier. "Long time no see, Dad."The board members were stunned.Was this handsome, refined young man Justin Beckett, the eldest son of the Beckett family who had never once revealed himself publicly in Solana City?Just then, Ezzo turned to greet Javier with a smile through the screen. "I believe we have much to discuss regarding our partnership, Mr. Javier."…
After the agreement was signed, Javier heaved a long sigh. The weight in his heart had lifted greatly.This business deal meant that their company had regained their footing and gained some respect once again.Javier returned to his officer and quickly called Justin again."Congratulations on another successful partnership, Dad," Justin said. He was now in a car heading back home. There was a warmth in his eyes accompanying his smile.When it came to looks, Justin was not as handsome as Jasper, nor was he as sharp as Landon or as eccentric as Jameson.Justin had a refined yet gentle vibe that made you glad to befriend him and get to know more. Due to Justin's disability, his movements were restricted by a wheelchair. But that never made him down or depressed. His smile remained warm and bright as ever—as if that kidnapping from years ago never happened."It's your doing that made this partnership go through, Justin. I should be the one thanking you." Javier's tone was thick wit
Jasper then shared a look with Jonah before they headed deep into the jungle.Landon prayed for the two of them to return safely. …In the Millennium's most extravagant suit, Jameson was discussing merrily with a Tsulu military representative. This Tsulian man, Inigo Montoye, had worked with Jameson when the latter was making a name for himself in Kontina. Since Inigo had benefited a lot from working with Jameson, he naturally gave the same to Jameson's endeavors in Tsulu and Kontina.Jameson had become a powerful financial magnate in Kontina, while Inigo was a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Tsulian Army's Ground Force. Virtually no outsider knew of their connection all these years.Amber stayed beside them the whole night, topping their drinks off and playing the perfect role as bait. Whenever she bent down to pour a drink, Inigo got a full view of her cleavage, making the blood in his veins burn with desire. He didn't even notice when his drink spilled at the edges.Just
Jameson stated, "Unlike how powerful they are in Solana City, those two are in Tsulu without any reinforcements. No one would notice if you killed them and disposed of their bodies, yes?" Jameson asked with eyes that hinted malice. "After all, you're quite the expert at doing that.""Hahaha! You really did think this through, Mr. Schmidt. But … how will you thank me for helping you out?""Money. Land. Whatever you want.""I have something I want right now." Inigo's lustful eyes ran along Amber's body.In the next instant, Jameson grabbed her arm and flung her toward Inigo. Amber was caught unaware and immediately landed on Inigo's lap. The latter immediately caged her in with his arms, running his hands all over her.Jameson slowly got up from his seat and left the room without looking back, saying, "She's all yours tonight."…Inigo left The Millennium satisfied for the night after having his fill of women and wine, ready to execute the task Jameson had given him.Amber was
"Don't you find that question hilarious?" Jameson chuckled and flung her hand away. "If I'd known you were this shallow, I would never have rescued you all those years ago."With a slam of the door, Jameson left the room.Amber crumpled into a heap, weeping painfully and feeling more pathetic than the torn pieces of fabric on the floor.…Cold island rain fell on Jasper as he continued moving forward. Jonah walked beside him in silence, secretly surprised at how swift Jasper was.Jasper's military years did him well. His training as a special ops soldier had neither worn down throughout his CEO career nor dulled his steely will.As long as the circumstances deemed necessary, Jasper would eagerly dive back onto the battlefield.Jonah couldn't help but admit that Jasper was the only other man in this world who could protect Alyssa besides himself."Pity," Jonah sighed."What?" Jasper asked, having heard Jonah even though they were moving fast.Jonah was about to speak when he s
Jasper's suspicion over Jameson wasn't entirely baseless. He wasn't simply taking a stab at his love rival. Ever since he reunited with Alyssa, he had been trying his best to conduct thorough investigations into a few things in secret. These included his relationship with the Schmidt family members, his situation in Solana City, and what he had been up to in Kontina all these years. As expected, due to Jameson's keen intellect, uncovering classified information about him proved impossible.However, Jasper did uncover that Jameson had colluded with the evil underground forces in Kontina. Superficially, the corporation they established appeared to operate in the realms of real estate and gambling. In reality, though, it concealed a nefarious organization involved in a wide array of criminal activities.With extensive connections in Kontina, Jameson held sway even among officials and businessmen, ensuring that powerful parties were covering for him.This was the method by which
Jasper said, "If anything were to happen to you here, what am I supposed to tell Lyse?"Danger was imminent. Both Jasper and Jonah couldn't delay even a second longer. Jasper called out to him. "Jonah." Jonah felt shaken. The way his name was called had an unusual effect on his body. He couldn't quite pinpoint the sensation, but it seemed to be a mix of an obscure pain and bitterness. Jasper looked eyes with him, delivering a clear message. "No matter what, you must return to Lyse safe and sound. Lyse had said before that her family is the most important people in her life." Jonah's eyes welled up in tears. He grabbed him by the arm and asked, "How about you, Jasper? Aren't you important to her too? It took her 13 years to finally get to be with you. "For many more years do you plan to make her endure the pain you've caused? Do you even have a heart?"With a bitter smile and an unwavering gaze, Jasper spoke, "I know I'd shattered her hope in me when we got divorced," he sa
"Jeffrey, surrender yourself." Jasper kept it short and simple. The look on his face was glacial. At that moment, the flow of blood from his injured left shoulder echoed in his ears. His breaths were shallow, and he had little energy left to spare on Jeffrey.The few assassins burst out in laughter. "Sure, Mr. Beckett. I'm here, right in front of you. Come and arrest me," Jeffrey taunted as he cocked his head to the side. His expression gradually became more sinister. "But, do you still have the energy left to do so? Shouldn't you remove the bullet on your left shoulder?" he questioned. Jasper clenched his teeth, maintaining the same look on his face. "If you delay it any longer, you might lose your left arm. Don't say that I didn't warn you." Before Jeffrey could continue, Jasper raised his hand and pointed the black nozzle at him.The assassins reacted swiftly by lifting their guns and aiming at Jasper!Both parties were ready to fire at any moment. The atmosphere ar
Even without Jasper's presence, he was confident that the Taylors and the rescue team would have been able to save Alyssa. It became clear what the person manipulating Remy had been aiming for.But why had Remy let Jasper go at that crucial moment? Had he experienced a sudden change of heart? Or was he, in fact, Alyssa's brother, Damien?Jasper's mind filled with all kinds of thoughts. Before he could dwell too deeply, there was a knock at the door. Xavier hurried over to open it, freezing in shock when he saw who stood outside. "Mr. Winston?"Winston was leaning on Silas for support, his expression grim. "Mr. Beckett is in there, isn't he? May I have a word with him?" Xavier quickly stepped aside, gesturing for Winston and Silas to enter.When he saw the elder he respected standing at the door, Jasper struggled to rise from the bed despite his exhaustion. "Mr. Winston…" "You are wounded. Stay put!" Winston insisted, swiftly moving forward to gently press Jasper back down
"Next time? There won't be a next time."Tears flowed down Alyssa's face, soaking Jasper's shirt with each drop. Her voice was quiet but steady, carrying the weight of her heartache. "Jasper… I'm drained. Sometimes, I think it might be better if you just forgot about me. It would be easier than this. Every time I let myself hope, all I get in return is disappointment."Jasper's chest tightened as her calm words pierced through him. Waves of emotion surged inside him, and a lump rose painfully in his throat.…It was fortunate that Jasper had found Alyssa in time to administer first aid. After rushing her to the ER, she slipped into unconsciousness. That being said, she was extremely lucky to have escaped death. Nevertheless, she needed to remain in the ICU for further observation. Aside from treating her frostbite, the doctors needed to assess whether her internal organs or brain had been affected.With the severity of Alyssa's condition, Sean couldn't keep the truth from Winsto
"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