In the following days, Alyssa and Jasper split up to attend to their own tasks.


    Although Jasper didn''t openly defy Javier anymore, he continued to fan the mes behind the scenes. He was determined to use the spotlight of public attention to flush Jameson out of his dark hideout. This day, as Jasper was preparing to attend a meeting, he received an unexpected call from Colene.


    "Madam Colene." His voice was calm and polite.


    Unlike her usual sharp-tongued self, Colene was surprisingly gentle in her treatment of Jasper. She even showed a hint of remorse.


    "Jasper, I haven''t properly thanked you forst time. If it weren''t for you showing up on time, the Ivory would have been swindled by that dickhead Jameson.


    "I still shudder at the thought. If we really lose the Ivory... I don''t know how my dad could go on living. I''ll be too embarrassed to face Winston."


    "Don''t say that, Madam Colene. Everything I did was only right," Jasper replied humbly. "The trust that you, Winston, and all the Taylors have ced in me, allowing me to reconcile with Lyse, is enough for me to spend my whole life repaying you."


    Xavier, standing nearby, couldn''t help but marvel inwardly.


    Jasper used to stumble over sweet talk and ttery, but now, he was effortlessly smooth with it, as if it came naturally to him.


    "Jasper, please don''t say that. It''ll only make me feel even more guilty."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    After a deep breath, Colene said resolutely, "I called to thank you and to pass on a message from my dad. He''s going to hold a press conference tonight and reveal everything about The Ivory''s recent ordeal with the illegal drugs."


    Jasper was taken aback. "This is a serious matter. You need to think it over carefully."


    "My dad knew you would say that. Exposing The Ivory''s secrets could attract police and prosecutorial investigations. But my dad is really tired.


    "He''s ready to face whateveres, even if it means risking jail time, just to show how dangerous this drug really is. And with The Ivory in such a mess, we need to tear it down and start fresh for a brighter tomorrow."


    Jasper nodded solemnly. "In that case, Lyse and I will respect Mr. Waters'' decision. I''ll also deploy more security personnel tonight to ensure Mr. Waters'' safety at the press conference."


    That afternoon, Nichs canceled important meetings and rushed alone to a nursing home in Sna City. He ran two red lights in his haste. By the time he arrived, he was sweating profusely. "What happened? How could my wife suddenly attempt to take her own life?" Nichs grabbed the arm of Natalie''s caregiver, Phoebe Silva, while his face dripped with sweat.


    "A-After lunch, Mrs. Novak suddenly said she wanted to see her son..."


    Nichs'' chest tightened with a sudden icy dread at the words.


    Natalie was in her early 40s now. She had suffered a miscarriage at the age of 29 during her fourth month of pregnancy.


    Now, over a decadeter, she was


    ''n''


    suddenly consumed with hysteria over their son to the extent that she was contemting self-harm. It suggested that her illness had progressed to the point where her memory and rity were severely impaired.


    "A young nurse came in and told Mrs. Novak that she didn''t have a son at all. Mrs. Novak had a menta breakdown on the spot. She pushed the nurse aside, rushed out of the ward, and knocked down several elderly people in the hallway... Then she went to the rooftop.


    Nichs'' pupils dted. His heart ached so much. It was as if it might shatter.


    "But... I never expected Ms. Alyssa to swoop in like a guardian angel. Just in the nick of time, she pulled Mrs. Novak away from the rooftop''s edge and brought her back down. We were all on edge as we watched."


    Phoebe''s recount of Alyssa''s heroism shifted the tense atmosphere to one of excitement.


    Nichs widened his eyes, thinking he must have misheard. "Who did you say? Ms. Alyssa?"


    "Yeah, Ms. Alyssa Taylor, the girlfriend of the Beckett Group''s CEO and the daughter of Winston Taylor, the wealthiest man in Belbanks."


    Phoebe couldn''t stop praising


    Alyssa. "Ms. Alyssa is incredible. She''s so strong and agile! I doubt could even lift Mrs. Novak, but she did it effortlessly with her slender arms and legs. She must work out regrly."