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    That night, Alyssa stayed in the presidential suite of Sna City''s KS World Hotel. She couldn''t bring herself to return to her own manor-not yet. The lingering memories of her breakup with Jasper were still too raw, and the thought of revisiting their former home felt like reopening an unhealed wound.


    The following morning, she was awakened by a knock at the door. Groggily, she slipped on her night robe and opened it to find Sean standing there, carrying aplete set of brand-new hiking gear.


    Alyssa smiled. "Thank you, Sean."


    "Ms. Alyssa, it''s freezing today. Are you sure you want to go hiking?" Sean walked into the living room and ced the items neatly on the couch.


    He still felt somewhat worried.


    "It''s alright if it''s cold, as long as the weather is good."


    Alyssa gazed out the window. The sun was shining brightly. The thought of going hiking with Jasper today made it impossible for her to conceal the sweet smile on her face and the delight in her eyes.


    She still loved him.


    She was hopelessly in love with him.


    Perhaps she was lowering herself, or maybe she was hopelessly romantic. Regardless, her love for him was unwavering. Even when she resolved to end things, it was out of resignation, not ack of love.


    Her love for him remained unchanged.


    Sean was about to say something when his phone rang unexpectedly. It was his second brother, Steven, calling. They hadn''t spoken in ages.


    After a brief conversation, Sean hung up.


    Alyssa asked, "Was that Mr. Steven?"


    "Yeah, he''s getting married, so he asked me out for a meal so that I can meet his fiancée. It''s a shame that Taty isn''t able to move around much; I would''ve brought her along."


    A slight smile came across Sean''s face. With a slightly conflicted gaze, he shared, "Steven is no longer a judge. He''s resigned and opened aw firm of his own. He''s an attorney now."


    Alyssa couldn''t help but exim in surprise, ''Why the sudden change?"


    "It''s because of Simon. Steven feels partly responsible for all that''s happened over the years, so he resigned from his job." Sean still felt ufortable talking about Simon.


    "Steven is a highly responsible and prideful person. You and your brothers are remarkably talented people. It''s unfortunate that Simon lost his way."


    Alyssa sat on the couch and ran her fingers across the new hiking gear. She smiled gently and said, "Go and meet with him. You don''t have toe back to Sna City after that. And do wish him a happy marriage on my behalf."


    Later, after a light lunch and a short nap, Alyssa drove to Crater Mountain Park. She arrived precisely at 2:00 pm. She first met with Elias, who was now part of a new generation of forest rangers. Their conversation was tinged with nostalgia as they recalled Elijah, his mentor, who had passed away from pancreatic cancer.


    Before they knew it, it was already 2:30 pm.


    "Are you waiting for someone, Ms. Alyssa?" Elias asked out of curiosity when he noticed Alyssa kept ncing at her watch.


    A smile of anticipation spread across her face. She beamed as warmly as the sun. "Yeah, I am."


    "Are you waiting for Mr. Beckett?"


    "Yes, we agreed to go hiking together today."


    "Aw, d to see your rtionship with him going well. Only those who share a long-term rtionship would be able to agree on hiking together on such a cold day."


    The smile on Alyssa''s face turned bitter gradually.


    Meanwhile, Jasper had just wrapped up a meeting at the corporation and rushed back to his office.


    "Xavier, are the hiking gears ready?" Jasper removed his zer and his tie. The outlines of his fit body could be seen through his white shirt.


    "Everything is ready." Xavier grinned from ear to ear. "I hope you have an enjoyable date with Ms. Alyssa!"


    Jasper slipped on his ck hiking outfit. He blinked and replied in a deep and low voice, "It''s only because I''ve agreed to the request she made. This will be the one and only time."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    Xavier was still feeling gleeful. He felt that Jasper and Alyssa were finally breaking the ice.


    Men''s words could not be trusted. He believed that Jasper did not actually mean the things he said.


    "Get the car, Xavier. We''re heading to Crater Mountain."


    After donning the outfit of a professional hiker, Jasper looked dashing and ready to go.


    He was just about to leave his office when his phone started vibrating in his chest pocket. He frowned as he pulled his phone out.


    He lowered his eyes, and the look on his face turned solemn.


    Sheryl''s name was ringly disyed on his phone''s screen. For a moment, he contemted ignoring the call, but it kept ringing.


    "Ms. Gillis, what do you need?" His tone was clipped and emotionless.


    "Mr. Jasper, I need to talk to you. I must see you now," Sheryl''s voice came through, tinged with urgency.


    Jasper lifted his hand to check the time on his wristwatch. "I''m unavable today. I''ve got ns. I''ll see you another day."


    Sheryl insisted, "It''s really urgent."


    The look in Jasper''s eyes dimmed. "So are my ns for today."


    He was just about to step out of the door when Sheryl''s gripping voice sounded in his ear. "It''s about the woman who saved your life. Are you sure you''re not interested to find out at all?"