?


    Alyssa only stayed in the hospital for two short days before returning to KS Group to oversee thepany.


    Since Winston had stepped back due to health issues, he only offered Alyssa private advice on major decisions she had to make. Other than that, he left everything to her and refrained from interfering.


    The temperature had been dropping for two consecutive weeks, and snow continued to fall. Yet, Alyssa hadn''t heard any news about Jasper. She had hoped that their kiss would mark a new beginning, but now it seemed more like a farewell.


    On this day, after a strategy meeting with KS Group''s top executives, Alyssa returned to her office to review the tender proposal for the Sna City A5 real estate project. Known as Project A5, this was a significant five-year initiative backed by the govemment, attracting widespread attention for its immense potential.


    If executed well, the project would bring tremendous value and offer businessmen a gateway into the political arena, giving them a chance to gain even more power.


    Beckett Group was naturally involved since the project was based in Sna City.


    Despite being rooted in Belbanks, KS Group, as one of the country''s wealthiest corporations, was confident in securing Project A5.


    In the past, Alyssa could switch into work mode quickly. Lately, however, her thoughts were constantly drifting, making it hard to focus. Eventually, she couldn''t resist and decided to call Julien.


    The phone rang for a long time before he finally answered. When he did, Alyssa heard Julien''s exhausted, hoarse voice.


    "Hey, Lyse."


    "Jul!"


    Truthfully, Alyssa hadn''t expected him to answer. Hearing his familiar voice filled her with relief, and she nearly cried.


    "H-How have you been?" she stammered.


    "I''ve been pretty okay," Julien answered icily.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    But Alyssa could sense he wasn''t okay at all. He was clearly just trying to hold it together. "Jul... we miss you. Jonah, too-


    "Why did you call, Lyse?" Julien interrupted, his voice cold. He clearly didn''t want to talk about Jonah. "I''m fine. You don''t need to worry. If there''s nothing else, I''ve got things to do."


    Alyssa felt a sharp pain in her chest. Desperate, she blurted out, "There is!"


    "Go ahead."


    "It''s about Jasper''s headaches... I''d like to talk to you about that." She went on to exin everything Joseph had spected.


    After a long pause, Julien spoke. "If what Jasper consumed was truly a highly concentrated drug, it''s likely that even his everyday life will be severely affected in the future. After experiencing euphoria, his brain will fall into extreme agony. He will begin to exhibit severe withdrawal symptoms, losing control of his nerves and body. The situation will only worsen."


    In an urgent voice, Alyssa asked, "How will he get some relief, then?"


    Julien''s tone was calm but serious. "He''ll experience immediate relief if he continues taking the drug."


    "Jul, you can''t be serious! Jasper is strong, upright... How can you suggest he take drugs?'' Alyssa gasped, her eyes wide with shock.


    "Even if I told him to stop, wouldn''t he eventually seek it out on his own?" Julien''s voice was cold and logical. "If he''s already deeply addicted, using may be the only way to cope."


    "Another option is for him to quit," Julien continued. "But can Jasper survive the torment and excruciating pain of withdrawal? Even if he could, wouldn''t people start to suspect something if he stayed out of the public eye for too long or began to act strangely?


    "Spection would arise, and those with ill intent might take advantage of the situation. If that happens, what do you think his future will look like?"


    Alyssa leaned back against her chair, trembling and devastated. Her eyes filled with tears, and her heart ached.


    If the public ever learned that the esteemed president of Beckett Group was a drug addict, thepany''s stock would plummet, and its reputation would be ruined. Beckett Group would face chaos, and Jasper would lose everything he had worked so hard to build.


    "It all depends on what Jasper chooses now," Julien said grimly. "Whether he wants to preserve his career or escape from the clutches of this evil."