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    Chapter 2345


    "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 Winston. He immediately called him, as well as Ss and Cyrus in Sna City. He even reached Jonah, who had been out of contact while searching for Julien overseas.


    The Taylors rushed to the hospital in Sna City as quickly as they could. It was a sleepless night.


    Meanwhile, Jasper went to treat his gunshot wound in private, not wanting to worry anyone. The doctor had warned that if he hade anyter, his right arm could have be permanently disabled.


    When Xavier burst into Jasper''s hospital room, a nurse had just finished dressing his wound.


    Jasper''s head, arm, and shoulders were wrapped in white bandages, blood seeping through the fabric, staining it a ghastly red. Despite the pain, his posture remained as rigid as ever-straight-backed with no hint of weakness.


    "Mr. Beckett!" Xavier''s voice cracked with emotion, his eyes brimming with tears.


    The nurse stepped out, leaving the two alone. Jasper gave Xavier a cold, dismissive nce before struggling to pull his hospital gown back on. Hecked the energy to do it himself. After all, he, too, had been severely hurt.


    "Mr. Beckett, hold it right there. Let me help you!"


    Xavier rushed forward to assist. He gently pulled the gown over Jasper''s shoulders and helped him lean back against the headboard.


    Seeing the extent of Jasper''s injuries-each one sustained in his attempt to save Alyssa-Xavier''s heart clenched in pain. The thought that all of this was for her made Xavier''s chest tighten. Unable to hold back, he burst into tears.


    "Mr. Beckett, please, don''t scare me like this again.... I''d rather die than see anything happen to you again!"


    Jasper looked at Xavier with a firm gaze and asked, "Why? Are you willing to die in the name of love?"


    Xavier sniffled and didn''t say anything.


    "Your deep affection should be directed to the person you love, not me." Jasper lowered his eyes, looking weary." You''re just my secretary. Don''t burden yourself with things that aren''t work-rted."


    His words might have seemed cold, but there was an undeniable tenderness beneath them. Jasper was deeply concerned for those around him, always hiding it behind a fa?ade of detachment.


    Xavier wiped his tears, fury igniting in his eyes. "Who did this to you? I''ll find them. I''ll make them pay for what they did to you!"


    "You want to avenge me? He could take you down without even trying."


    Jasper closed his eyes, his thoughts drifting to the image of Remy''sposed figure as he walked away and the subtle shift in his expression when Justin was mentioned. It made Jasper question everything he had thought he knew about Justin''s innocent fa?ade.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    "It was Remy..." he mumbled as the look in his eyes dimmed.


    Xavier leaned in, confused. "Who did you say it was?"


    Remy hadn''t tried to kill Jasper-he had only been doing everything in his power to stop him from reaching Alyssa.