?


    Jasper stared at those three pills in shock. The coldness of the unknown surged and stirred within his chest.


    Jameson was a schemer, a man who thrived on maniption. Every word he spoke could be part of an borate ploy. Maybe these pills were poison, a way to kill him without the mess of bloodshed.


    "If I take all of them, will you let Lyse go?" Jasper''s voice cracked, hoarse with pain.


    Jameson chuckled nonchntly. "Of course."


    ''Did you think that I would believe you? Show yourself or get thosepdogs of yours toe at me if you want me dead. Let''s fight face-to-face. If not, you might as well just shoot me."


    Jasper then mmed his fist into the ss and added, "Don''t use such a vicious tactic. I won''t fall for it!"? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    "Choose between the two," Jameson said, his grin widening. "If it''s not you, it''ll be her. The decision is yours, Jasper."


    Jasper''s heart was wrenched. "Jameson, don''t you dare touch Lyse!"


    ''It looks like you''ve made your choice. Jameson picked up the ck pill and pocketed the others, just in case Jasper had any other tricks up his sleeve. "Just this one then. Besides, I don''t want to force you into doing something you''re not willing to anyway."


    "Give me all of them!" Jasper demanded, seeing through the deception. He had no hesitation. "I''ll do what you want. Just let Lyse go."


    He knew from the start that he had no choice. Resistance might push Jameson to hurt Alyssa-or worse, force her to take something lethal. The longer heplied, the more time he bought for Jonah and the others to save her. They were already on their way.


    Even if the pills were poison, he would just have to hold out against them.


    He must!


    Momentster, almost elusively, that female helper showed up before Jasper with the medicine box in her hands. "Alright, prove it to me," Jameson demanded, excitement flickering behind his gold-rimmed sses.


    Jasper looked down, the pills cold in his palm. Seconds ticked by.


    Just as Jameson opened his mouth to mock him, Jasper threw back his head and swallowed all three pills.


    As if they were connected, Alyssa''s fingers twitched at that moment, hershes fluttering though she remained unconscious.


    Jameson''s pupils dted. No one could anticipate the reaction or oue of the medication Justin provided. Yet, Jasper had consumed the pills with reckless abandon, swallowing them all at once instead of taking them individually. Was he truly fearless?


    The man before him was fearless, strong, and unrestrained-qualities that set him apart from every other man. Even those who admired Jasper were unworthy byparison.


    Jameson could only stare. He then cried out in anguish, tears streaming down.


    Until now, he had never thought his love was any lesser than Jasper''s. But now he saw the truth-he could never measure up to Jasper.


    Even if he were to spend his entire life loving Alyssa, or if everything went back to square one, he was still far from Jasper''s standards.


    Soon, the pills started taking effect in Jasper''s body; his pupils constricted and then dted all of a sudden.


    His eyes felt like they were about to burst from their sockets, his heart pounded, and his nerves screamed in agony.


    Jasper groaned in pain. He eventually sumbed to the pills and fell onto his knees heavily.